Table 2 Day of surgery cancellations stratified by avoidable versus unavoidable causes

Hospital Related

(n = 174 or 66.7 %)

▪ Incomplete surgical-work up (n = 4)

▪ Incomplete medical evaluation (n = 34)

▪ Staff miscommunication (n = 13)

▪ No financial clearance (n = 43)

▪ Admission papers not ready (n = 7)

▪ OR behind schedule (n = 23)

▪ Scheduling error (n = 5)

▪ Implants not available (n = 1)

▪ No bed available (n = 21)

▪ Equipment unavailable (n = 6)

▪ Patient not instructed appropriately to stop drinking water (n = 1)

▪ Change in treatment plan (n = 6)

▪ Emergency/life-saving case that occupied the OR (n = 3)

▪ Surgeon not available (n = 4)

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

▪ Surgeon was travelling (n = 1)

▪ Surgeon sick (n = 1)

Patient Related

(n = 87 or 33.3 %)

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

▪ Change in medical status (n = 31)

▪ Abnormal test (n = 5)

▪ Difficult unobtainable IV access (n = 1)

▪ Patient family refused surgery (n = 2)

▪ Patient postponed (n = 2)

▪ Patient left against medical advice (n = 1)

▪ Patient changed mind about surgery while in hospital (n = 7)

▪ Patient had a panic attack (n = 1)

▪ Patient refused surgery (n = 4)

▪ Preoperative instructions not followed properly (n = 4)