A prospective observational study comparing the pediatric post anesthesia discharge scoring system with clinical discharge criteria in pediatric day surgical patients in Western China

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the pediatric post-anesthesia discharge scoring system (Ped-PADSS), and compared with the existing clinical discharge criteria (CDC) in the day surgery ward of our hospital. Methods: After the patient completed the operation and returned to the day surgery ward, the initial assessment was conducted by an independent observer using the Ped-PADSS and CDC. This process was repeated at 1 hour intervals until the patient achieved a Ped-PADSS score of 9 and met the CDC. Results: From July to December 2021, 721 pediatric patients. One hour after returning from PACU to the day surgery ward, 92.65% of pediatric patients were dischargeable based on the Ped-PADSS scores. Two hour after returning from PACU to the day surgery ward, 100.00% of pediatric patients were dischargeable. The median length of stay in the day surgery ward (n=720) was reduced by 1 hour after surgery compared with the median length of stay in the day surgery ward before the use of the output score (P<0.05); and there were 9 (1.25%) adverse events occurred in the interval between Ped-PADSS and CDC time. Conclusion: This prospective study reveals that the Ped-PADSS-based discharge decision greatly speeds the transit of pediatric patients through the day surgery ward, thus improving day surgery ward efficiency and medical resource utilization.