OUTPATIENT SURGERY: THE CONCEPT, ORGANIZATION OF THE PROGRAM AND ITS´ RESULTS

Abstract

The progress of videoendoscopic surgery, the introduction of short-acting anesthetic drugs with fewer side-effects, as well as the need to teach and provide healthcare, in a scenario which mandates the rational use of available hospital beds has contributed to stretching the limits of outpatient surgery. This is a report on the fundamental conceptual aspects of outpatient surgery, including the technical, ethical and legal issues. The process for the implantation of minor and major outpatient surgical services along with its results are presented. And finally, the technical and political aspects, according to the principles of the Brazilian Unified Health System, of consolidating a network for outpatient surgery involving the Centro de Saúde Escola (Primary), Hospital Estadual (Secondary) and the Hospital das Clínicas (Tertiary), with the cooperation of the Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Unversidade de São Paulo, is discussed.