[Ambulatory surgery. Patients and patient education].

This article reviews the concept of day surgery and shows how the treatment can be organized pre-, per- and post-operatively. It can be established in a hospital-integrated unit, a unit separate from the hospital, but connected with it, or a satellite ambulatory facility. Because the patient spends only a short time in hospital it is necessary to have structured preparations before admission, for the benefit of both patient and staff. It should be easy to identify patients suitable for day surgery from the waiting lists, and preparations should be directed at treatment by day surgery right from the start. Rules must be worked out for selecting patients, as well as guidelines for information to patients. It is also necessary to plan the operation programme, and to agree how nurses and doctors should take care of the patient during the different steps of treatment.