Análise das principais causas evitáveis de cancelamento cirúrgico visando a construção de ferramentas de gestão

Abstract

Introduction: This study examined the avoidable causes of surgical cancellations at the Lauro Wanderley University Hospital (HULW), highlighting the administrative, financial, and social impacts of absenteeism and suspensions. These events lead to losses for both patients and healthcare institutions by increasing rescheduling demands and wasting resources. Objective: To investigate the causes of elective surgical cancellations, propose improvements in hospital processes, reduce cancellation rates, and optimize resources. Materials and Methods: A mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) study was conducted using data from 2016 to 2023 from HULW records. Analyses included absolute and relative frequencies, performed using Excel and R software to evaluate statistics and temporal trends. Data were categorized into assistive, administrative, structural, social, and other event-related factors. Results: Among 31,728 scheduled surgeries, 11.78% were canceled. The main causes included unjustified patient absence (51.63%), lack of material (34.30%), and inadequate clinical conditions (33.91%). Specialties with the highest suspension rates were gynecology (17.85%) and general surgery (15.10%). The analysis revealed gaps in preoperative communication, insufficient resources, and logistical challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant decrease in scheduling and an increase in rescheduling complexity. Conclusion: Surgical cancellations reflect multifactorial issues that can be mitigated through integrated management strategies, infrastructure improvements, and greater patient engagement. The study suggests interventions such as staff training, enhanced patient communication, and revised hospital protocols. Reducing cancellation rates directly benefits hospital productivity and the quality of care.