Table 1 Frequency and percentage of day of surgery cancellations by categorical reasons

Patient (n = 46 or 17.6 %)

 • Patient did not show up for surgery (n = 29)

 • Patient changed mind about surgery (n = 7)

 • Patient had a panic attack (n = 1)

 • Patient refused surgery (n = 4)

 • Patient’s family refused surgery (n = 2)

 • Patient left against medical advice (n = 1)

 • Patient Postponed (n = 2)

Resource/Facility (n = 52 or 19.9 %)

 • OR behind schedule (n = 23)

 • Equipment broken or not available (n = 6)

 • Implant(s) not available (n = 1)

 • Emergency/life-saving case prioritized (n = 3)

 • Scheduling error (n = 5)

 • Staff miscommunication (n = 13)

 • Pre-operative instruction not communicated properly to patient (n = 1)

Workup/Medical condition (n = 85 or 32.6 %)

 • Change in medical status (n = 31)

 • Incomplete Surgical-work up (n = 4)

 • Incomplete Medical evaluation (n = 34)

 • Abnormal test (n = 5)

 • Change in treatment plan (n = 6)

 • Difficult unobtainable IV access (n = 1)

 • Pre-operative instructions not followed properly (n = 4)

Surgeon (n = 7 or 2.7 %)

 • Surgeon not available (n = 4)

 • Surgeon sick (n = 1)

 • Surgeon was operating in another hospital (n = 1)

 • Surgeon was travelling (n = 1)

Admission (n = 50 or 19.2 %)

 • No Financial Clearance (n = 43)

 • Papers not ready (n = 7)

Bed (n = 21 or 8 %)

 • No private bed available (n = 3)

 • No government-contracted bed available (n = 17)

 • No cardiac surgery unit bed (n = 1)