[Ambulatory surgery in French public hospitals. Present and future. "Public hospitals" group of the French Association of Ambulatory Surgery].

OBJECTIVES To assess ambulatory surgery practices in France, make an inventory of projects for the creation of ambulatory structures and analyze the perception of different hospital personnel of ambulatory surgery. METHODS A questionnaire was sent to 541 public hospitals with a surgery unit in France. The first part of the questionnaire was used to record current activity and existing projects for ambulatory surgery. The questionnaire also collected opinions concerning the analysis of difficulties encountered and possibilities offered by ambulatory surgery. RESULTS Overall participation rate was 59%. Ambulatory surgery was practised in 81% of the hospitals. Sixty-six percent had a projects under consideration, including several at the decision making stage (17%). 1550 ambulatory surgery clinics could be created by the year 2000. In 66% of the cases, the future facility would be integrated into the traditional surgery unit. There was favorable opinion concerning the development of ambulatory surgery clinics in public hospitals in 83% of the cases. Inconveniences suggested generally involved organizational aspects, particularly concerning medical organization. Foreseen obstacles to the development of ambulatory surgery clinics were regulatory procedures, unfavorable exchange rate, insufficient investment funds and the lack of a policy favoring their development. CONCLUSION The development of ambulatory surgery clinics in public hospitals in France can be expected in the near future. Budgeting and regulatory procedures must however be adapted to promote implementation of the existing projects.