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There are validated general risk prediction tools available that assess the risk of 30-day mortality (and morbidity) following surgery, as well as procedure specific risk prediction tools for elective aortic aneurysm surgery.⁵⁹ There is also a wide variety of other screening and risk assessment tools that are useful in estimating the specific or additional risks accrued through the factors...

The ideal day surgery facility is a purpose-built, self-contained day surgery unit (DSU), with its own ward, recovery areas and dedicated operating theatre(s). This may be contained within a main hospital or in its grounds, to facilitate access to inpatient or critical care facilities, or it may be a freestanding unit remote from the main hospital site.

Special care should be taken to assess social circumstances when discharging elderly patients into the care of an equally frail and elderly spouse. Home support from family or social services may be needed; for instance to ensure that postoperative eye drops are administered in an appropriate and timely fashion. This should be identified at preassessment and arranged in advance.¹