The shift from inpatient surgery to same-day discharge is redefining how surgical care is delivered in urban India.
Daycare surgery, also known as ambulatory or same-day surgery, refers to procedures where patients are admitted, operated on, and discharged within the same day. Over the past few decades, advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and perioperative care have enabled a significant proportion of procedures to shift from inpatient to outpatient settings.
In India, this transition is gradually expanding across urban centres such as Delhi, where hospitals and specialty clinics are increasingly incorporating daycare surgical models into routine practice.
Daycare surgery centres in Delhi are increasingly offering same-day surgical care through structured perioperative pathways and minimally invasive techniques.
Daycare surgery is typically considered for procedures that are minimally invasive, have predictable outcomes, and require limited post-operative monitoring. Studies from Indian and international settings indicate that a wide range of procedures can be safely performed in daycare settings when appropriate patient selection criteria are followed.¹
Common procedures include:
Laparoscopic surgeries
Proctology procedures such as piles, fissure, and fistula treatment
Hysteroscopy and minimally invasive gynecological procedures
Minor orthopedic interventions
Urological and ENT procedures
Common daycare procedures include laparoscopic cholecystectomy, hernia repair, hysteroscopy, arthroscopy, and certain urological and ENT surgeries.
Clinical literature highlights that careful patient selection is essential. Factors such as stable medical condition, availability of home care, and proximity to healthcare facilities play a role in determining eligibility.²
Evidence from multiple studies suggests that daycare surgery offers several advantages:
Reduced hospital stay and faster recovery
Lower risk of hospital-acquired infections
Cost efficiency for both patients and healthcare systems
Better utilization of hospital resources
Research conducted in tertiary care settings has shown that with proper protocols, complication and readmission rates in daycare surgery remain low and comparable to inpatient procedures.³
Advances in anesthesia have also played a key role. Modern anesthetic techniques allow faster recovery, early mobilization, and safer discharge on the same day.⁴
Most patients undergoing daycare surgery are discharged within 24 hours, often on the same day, with recovery continuing at home.
Studies from India indicate that a significant proportion of elective procedures, in some settings more than 60–70 percent, can be safely performed as daycare surgeries with appropriate protocols.¹¹
Much of this growth is driven by the need to reduce hospital burden while maintaining surgical efficiency.
Sama Hospital is an NABH-accredited multispecialty hospital located in South Delhi, Siri Fort Road, Sadiq Nagar, New Delhi. The hospital provides services across general surgery, laparoscopic procedures, and proctology.
According to its official information, the hospital is equipped with operation theatres, ICU facilities, and diagnostic services, enabling it to manage both inpatient and short-stay surgical cases. Procedures such as laparoscopic surgeries and proctological interventions are commonly aligned with daycare surgical pathways.⁵
The hospital also reports offering services such as emergency care, radiology, laboratory diagnostics, and palliative care, indicating a broader clinical support system for surgical patients. Its published information highlights milestones and clinical achievements, reflecting its long-standing presence in the region.
As an NABH-accredited facility, it reflects structured quality standards in perioperative care and patient safety protocols.
Rejoice Hospital focuses on gynecology and laparoscopic surgery, offering procedures such as hysteroscopy and minimally invasive gynecological interventions. It is located in East of Kailash, South Delhi.
These procedures are frequently performed as daycare surgeries due to smaller incisions, reduced operative trauma, and faster recovery times. The hospital represents a model where specialty-focused centres integrate daycare surgery into routine care.⁶
The centre also functions as a training and academic facility in gynecological endoscopy, which supports skill development in minimally invasive techniques. Its treatment portfolio includes infertility management, high-risk pregnancy care, and advanced laparoscopic procedures.
Its role as a training centre distinguishes it within the daycare surgery ecosystem by contributing to skill development in minimally invasive gynecology.
Aashlok Hospital is an independent multispecialty hospital offering services in general surgery, ENT, orthopedics, and related disciplines. It is located in Safdarjung Enclave, South Delhi.
While it is not exclusively a daycare centre, the hospital supports surgical procedures that may not require prolonged admission. Such facilities contribute to the availability of short-stay surgical care outside large corporate hospital networks.⁷
The hospital provides multiple clinical departments along with diagnostic and emergency services, supporting perioperative care across specialties. Its independent structure differentiates it from larger corporate hospital chains while still offering comprehensive services.
Its independent, non-corporate structure positions it as a mid-tier hospital supporting accessible surgical care.
Rosewalk Hospital, part of the Rainbow Hospitals network, focuses on women and child healthcare. Its services include obstetrics and gynecology. It is located in Panchsheel Park, South Delhi.
Minimally invasive gynecological procedures are increasingly performed as daycare cases, supported by structured perioperative care pathways. Facilities such as Rosewalk reflect the integration of daycare surgery within specialty-focused hospitals.⁸
As part of a larger hospital network, Rosewalk Hospital also follows standardized clinical protocols and offers neonatal and pediatric support services, which may be relevant in perioperative care for women and children.
Its integration within a national hospital network enables standardized clinical pathways and continuity of care.
SCI International Hospital is a multispecialty hospital with services in urology, IVF, and minimally invasive surgery. It is located in Greater Kailash Part 1 (GK-1), South Delhi.
Procedures in these specialties are often suitable for short-stay or same-day discharge, depending on patient factors. The hospital’s clinical focus aligns with broader trends toward minimally invasive surgical care.⁹
The hospital provides a multidisciplinary team approach with specialists across departments, and highlights the use of advanced surgical technologies in areas such as urology, reproductive medicine, and cosmetic procedures.
Its focus on minimally invasive and technology-supported procedures supports the shift toward outpatient surgical care.
The Clinics operates as a network of surgical centres focusing on minimally invasive procedures, including proctology and gastrointestinal conditions. The network operates across multiple locations in Delhi NCR rather than a single fixed centre.
This model reflects the emergence of clinic-based surgical care, where consultation, procedure, and discharge are streamlined within a short time frame. Such centres are commonly used for conditions like piles, fissures, and fistula, which can often be treated using minimally invasive or laser-based approaches.¹⁰
According to its official information, the network includes specialists across multiple disciplines such as laparoscopy, oncology, and IVF-related care, indicating a broader clinical scope beyond proctology. The model emphasizes consultation-led care pathways and patient-focused service delivery.
Its multi-location model across Delhi NCR reflects the expansion of decentralized, clinic-based surgical care.
The growth of daycare surgery in Delhi reflects broader systemic changes:
Expansion of minimally invasive surgical techniques
Adoption of structured discharge protocols and follow-up systems
Development of specialty centres focusing on specific procedures
Increasing awareness among patients regarding short-stay options
This reflects the growth of ambulatory surgery centres and day surgery units in Delhi, supported by an evolving ambulatory care model.
Effective daycare surgery requires dedicated operation theatres, recovery areas, trained anesthesia teams, and established discharge protocols.
Accreditation frameworks such as those by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) help standardize quality and safety in surgical care, including daycare procedures.
Data from Indian studies indicate that daycare surgery can account for a significant proportion of elective surgical procedures when appropriate infrastructure and protocols are in place.¹¹
Before opting for daycare surgery, several factors should be evaluated:
Suitability of the procedure for same-day discharge
Patient’s medical condition and comorbidities
Availability of post-operative supervision at home
Access to emergency care if required
Hospital accreditation and surgical expertise
Patients undergoing daycare surgery are typically discharged only after meeting defined clinical criteria, including stable vital signs, adequate pain control, and the ability to tolerate oral intake.⁴
Clinical guidelines emphasize that proper selection and post-operative instructions are critical to ensuring patient safety.²
These protocols are designed to ensure patient safety and optimal postoperative recovery.
Many centres incorporate follow-up systems such as teleconsultation or scheduled post-operative reviews to monitor recovery after discharge.
What is daycare surgery?
Daycare surgery refers to surgical procedures where patients are admitted, treated, and discharged on the same day without requiring overnight hospital stay.
Is daycare surgery safe?
When appropriate patient selection, surgical protocols, and anesthesia techniques are followed, daycare surgery has been shown to be safe with low complication rates comparable to inpatient procedures.³
Who is eligible for daycare surgery?
Eligibility depends on factors such as the type of procedure, overall health status, and availability of post-operative care at home. Patients are typically selected based on clinical assessment and risk evaluation.²
Daycare surgery in Delhi is supported by a combination of multispecialty hospitals and specialized surgical centres. Facilities such as Sama Hospital, Aashlok Hospital, and SCI International Hospital provide infrastructure for short-stay procedures, while centres like Rejoice Hospital and The Clinics represent more focused surgical models.
These hospitals represent the growing network of daycare surgery hospitals in Delhi offering outpatient surgical care and same day discharge surgery options across Delhi NCR.
However, not all patients or procedures are suitable for daycare surgery, and some cases may still require overnight observation depending on clinical complexity.
As surgical techniques and perioperative care continue to advance, daycare surgery is expected to play a larger role in urban healthcare delivery, offering an alternative to prolonged hospitalization for selected procedures.
“Day Care Surgery in a Public Hospital Set Up.” ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348307372_DAY_CARE_SURGERY_IN_A_PUBLIC_HOSPITAL_SET_UP
“Types of Various Surgeries in Day Care: A Study from South India.” ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281751860_Types_of_various_surgeries_in_Day_Care_A_study_from_South_India
“Outcomes of Day Care Surgery in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Longitudinal Study.” ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/394573631_Outcomes_of_Day_Care_Surgery_in_a_Tertiary_Care_Hospital_A_Longitudinal_Study
“Anesthesia for Day Care Surgeries: Current Perspectives.” Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth. https://journals.lww.com/mjdy/fulltext/2017/10040/anesthesia_for_day_care_surgeries__current.3.aspx
Sama Hospital. “Facilities & Services.” https://samahospital.com/facilities-services/
Rejoice Hospital. “Treatments.” https://www.rejoicehospital.com/treatments.html
Aashlok Hospital. “About Us.” https://aashlokhospital.com/about.php
Rainbow Hospitals. “Rosewalk Hospital.” https://www.rainbowhospitals.in/rosewalk
SCI International Hospital. “About Us.” https://scihospital.com/about-us
The Clinics. “About Us.” https://www.theclinics.co.in/about-us
Association of Day Surgery of India. https://www.daysurgeryindia.org/