Ambulatory evaluation and safety considerations

The past few years have witnessed tremendous growth in the number and complexity of ambulatory surgical procedures. Despite these advances, postoperative pain remains a significant limiting factor to further expansion of outpatient surgery. Regional anesthesia techniques, including continuous peripheral nerve blockade, are ideal techniques for major outpatient surgery. A detailed infrastructure must be in place to facilitate the optimal and safe use of these techniques in the outpatient setting. This review discusses important factors to develop an appropriate ambulatory infrastructure for a continuous catheter program with a special focus on patient safety. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Duke Scholars

Author Karen Cristina Nielsen Anesthesiology, Ambulatory