Medicolegal Considerations for Anesthesia in the Ambulatory Setting

Low cost and an impressive safety record portend the continued growth of ambulatory surgery centers. Just as in the inpatient setting, the patient's welfare and the quality of care must be balanced with cost considerations. Liability in the ambulatory surgery center rests on many of the same legal principles applicable in the inpatient setting. Anesthesiologists in the ambulatory setting must comply with standards of care; plan for complications; obtain informed consent; properly discharge their patients; and completely document the care given. They must give special consideration to the limited time available for pre-anesthetic assessment and the pressure for timely discharge home, and develop safeguards to minimize the attendant risks. Recognizing the legal hazards of anesthesia in the ambulatory setting can both improve patient treatment and reduce the legal perils of patient care.