Evaluation of Same-Day Cancellation of Elective Surgeries

This study evaluates elective surgeries that were cancelled on the scheduled day of operation. Same-day surgical cancellations may cause emotional stress for patients, inefficient use of hospital resources, and increased health care costs.

The aim of this observational study is to analyze the reasons for same-day cancellations and to assess their impact on patients, hospital workflow, and costs. Patient anxiety levels after cancellation will be evaluated using standardized questionnaires. The findings of this study may help improve perioperative planning and reduce preventable surgical cancellations.

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Key information

Conditions

Elective Surgery Cancellation Preoperative Anxiety

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Fethi Sekin City Hospital

Elâzığ, Elaziğ, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This prospective observational study was conducted at the operating rooms of Elazığ Fethi Sekin City Hospital. The study included all elective surgical procedures that were cancelled on the scheduled day of operation for any reason after approval by the local ethics committee. Data were collected over a six-month period.

Demographic characteristics of patients, planned surgical procedures, surgical departments, and reasons for cancellation were recorded using patient interviews, medical records, and the hospital information system. Cancellations were categorized as patient-related, hospital-related, or surgery team-related.

The impact of same-day cancellations on hospital resources and costs was evaluated by estimating operating room idle time, personnel costs, unused equipment and medications, bed occupancy, preoperative preparation costs, and additional post-cancellation diagnostic or consultation expenses. Cost calculations were based on official Ministry of Health reimbursement tariffs.

Following cancellation and transfer back to the ward, patients were assessed face to face for anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The results of this study aim to provide data to improve perioperative planning, optimize hospital resource utilization, and reduce preventable elective surgery cancellations.

This study was registered retrospectively after study completion due to an administrative delay in trial registration.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Elective surgical procedures cancelled on the scheduled day of operation for any reason.

Exclusion criteria

Patients who could not be contacted on the day of cancellation.

Patients with insufficient medical or administrative data in their records.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Reasons for same-day cancellation of elective surgeries

Time frame: From the date of scheduled elective surgery to the end of the same calendar day on which the cancellation occurred, assessed retrospectively using hospital medical records and patient interviews over a 12-month study period.

Categorization of cancellation reasons as patient-related, hospital-related, or surgical team-related based on medical records and patient interviews.
Estimated hospital cost associated with cancelled elective surgeries

Time frame: Perioperative / Periprocedural

Total estimated cost including operating room idle time, personnel costs, unused equipment and medications, bed occupancy, preoperative preparation costs, and additional post-cancellation diagnostic or consultation expenses.

Secondary outcomes

State anxiety level after surgical cancellation (STAI-State score)

Time frame: Within 24 hours after cancellation

The State Anxiety subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-State) is a validated self-report scale ranging from 20 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater levels of anxiety.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Elazıg Fethi Sekin Sehir Hastanesi

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of the Cancellation of Elective Surgeries on the Day of Operation in Terms of Hospital, Patient, and Cost Outcomes

Acronym: DOSCOST

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Jan 22, 2026
Registry last updated: Jan 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed