2/2007Day Surgery – national and international:from the past to the future

LINDSAY ROBERTS (International Association for Ambulatory Surgery (IAAS))

Summary
This paper describes the beginnings of day surgery in Australia, its growth during the past 25 years, and its perspectives for the future. The milestones, organizations involved in day surgery, legal regulations, and recommendations are listed. The role, activities, and initiatives of the International Association for Ambulatory Surgery (IAAS) are also discussed.

Key words: ambulatory surgery, day surgery, Australia