Chapter IV: Technical operating conditions

Outpatient surgery consists of performing surgical procedures equivalent to those performed in a full-time hospital setting, in terms of their nature, complexity and the medical supervision they require, during a stay of twelve hours or less. They are performed for patients whose living conditions and state of health are compatible with this type of care, and are organised in such a way as to enable patients to return to their…

The ambulatory surgery unit is made up of specific rooms or areas equipped with a call device and adapted to the reception, rest and preparation of the patient’s discharge, so as to ensure on the same site the rehabilitation of the patient after surgery according to the type, volume and programming of the surgical activity.

The holder of the ambulatory surgery authorisation is required to organise continuity of care outside the unit’s opening hours, including Sundays and public holidays. To this end, it must have a management and referral system enabling patients to contact the medical team responsible for continuity of care.

The outpatient surgery unit is staffed by a medical and paramedical team which may include staff who also work as full-time inpatients on the same site. However, members of the team who do not work primarily in the operating sector are assigned to the outpatient surgery unit only for the duration of their treatment. The number and qualifications of the medical staff, auxiliary medical staff and nursing assistants are adapted…

The full-time inpatient unit comprises single or double rooms, equipped with a call system.

An operating charter specific to each care unit is drawn up and specifies in particular: 1° The organisation of the unit, in particular the staff, opening hours, organisation of care and medical operation, indicators for monitoring activity and quality of care; 2° The conditions for appointing and qualifying the coordinating doctor of the care unit referred to in article D. 6124-271; 3° The general organisation of staff attendance and continuity…

When the holder of the authorisation for the surgical care activity referred to in 1° of I of article R. 6123-202 provides care for children under III of the same article, it must comply with the provisions of article D. 6124-284 and organise paediatric care, with appropriate reception facilities, in premises that allow children to be hospitalised full time, day or night, separately from adults. When it cares for children…