The British journal of surgery
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Br J Surg
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Postponement of surgery at preoperative assessment in the days or weeks before the patient is admitted for surgery, as distinct from cancellation on the planned day of surgery, can be devastating for patients and an inefficient use of finite resources. However, postponements are often poorly recorded. The primary aim of this pilot study was to investigate elective surgical postponement rates during or after preoperative assessment across England, and the reasons for postponement for patients on an elective surgical pathway. ⋯ Minimizing postponements and improving preoperative assessment efficiency should be part of wider initiatives to streamline perioperative pathways.