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Anesth Analg 2008; 106:817-820
© 2008 International Anesthesia Research Society
doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e3181609531
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AMBULATORY ANESTHESIOLOGY

Car Accidents After Ambulatory Surgery in Patients Without an Escort

Frances Chung, FRCPC, and Nicole Assmann, FRCA

From the Department of Anesthesia, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Frances Chung, Department of Anesthesia, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto McL 2-405, 399 Bathurst St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 2S8. Address e-mail to frances.chung{at}uhn.on.ca.

Abstract

Occasionally, ambulatory surgical patients present without an escort for their procedure. This creates a dilemma for caregivers, and allowing patients to drive may have an impact on their safety. The Canadian Medical Protective Association is a mutual defense organization for 95% of Canadian physicians. The national database is a unique and extensive repository of medico-legal data. We scanned this database for malpractice patients who were discharged after an ambulatory surgery procedure and allowed to drive home with a poor outcome. From this database, two malpractice cases of patients who were discharged without an escort after an ambulatory surgical procedure were reported. Both had a car accident and sustained serious injuries. Based on this we do not recommend discharge without an escort after general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, monitored anesthesia or sedation. Driving after ambulatory surgery cannot be considered safe and caregivers need to verify a safe ride home.






Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins Anesthesia & Analgesia® is published for the International Anesthesia Research Society® by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins with the assistance of Stanford University Libraries' HighWire Press®. Copyright 2006 by the International Anesthesia Research Society. Online ISSN: 1526-7598   Print ISSN: 0003-2999 HighWire Press
Copyright © 2008 by the International Anesthesia Research Society.