Day Surgery Data Project Co-funded by the European Commission under the Programme of Community Action in the field of Public Health 2008–2013 Grant Agreement n° 2008 13 05

Day surgery (DS) development represents a priority being an important opportunity for health systems reorganization. Strong evidence suggests that DS is the best option for 80% of elective surgical operations providing a safe, high quality and cost-effective approach. There is great potential for further expansion of DS in Europe. Available DS data and indicators present important constraints hindering DS growth and development. The general objective of the project is to validate and define a set of DS standard indicators and, more generally, to develop the information systems on DS in Europe. It will also identify and test potential indicators. Main methods and means will include the review of existing DS indicators at international level and the assessment of DS data and indicators in participating member states (MSs). Most promising candidate indicators will be empirically tested through a pilot study in a selected group of participating MSs. Comparability of data will also be ensured through recoding of DS procedures. A minimum and ideal list of indicators will be constructed on the basis of a literature review and results of the pilot study. The project will also devise guidelines for the presentation, interpretation and utilization of indicators. The project will work in strict collaboration with European Community Health Indicators and other relevant European initiatives in the area of health information systems. The project’s strategies and results will be fully applicable to the European context and congruent with the European Union (EU) effort in developing information and knowledge systems. The expected outcome is a streamlined and standardized DS information system integrated into the EU indicators framework, used by health care policy-makers, DS managers and providers to expand DS and continuously improve its quality, efficiency and equity. A streamlined DS information system represents one of the most important preconditions for improving whole DS systems and their components, such as a network of DS clinics.