Survey data on outpatient anesthetic care for adults in Russia

Widespread interventions in day hospitals and outpatient surgery are associated with the need to analyze actual data of anesthetic care and compliance with current guidelines. Objective. To evaluate the features of outpatient anesthetic and intensive care in adults (day hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers and short-stay hospitals) in the Russian Federation and preferences of anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists. Material and methods. A survey was conducted on initiative of the specialized committee of the Federation of Anesthesiologists and Resuscitators. The questionnaire was distributed through the website, telegram resources and professional contacts. Data collection was carried out throughout 6 months in 2025. We analyzed 248 valid questionnaires of specialists working in day hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, short-stay hospitals, clinics, endoscopy departments and dental clinics. Results. Anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists predominated (85.5%) among respondents. Representatives of administration also participated (11.3%). Specialists with <5-year experience comprised 12.1%, while the largest group consisted of doctors with >20-year experience (33.1%). Public and private hospitals are represented in similar numbers (51.2% and 48.8%). Most often, anesthesia is necessary for endoscopic procedures, magnetic resonance imaging, and dental care (46.4%). The need for preoperative examination was supported by 67.7% of respondents, mandatory constant presence of anesthesiologist during the intervention — by 81.5%. About 51.2% of respondents recognize acceptable outpatient management of ASA class III patients. Body mass index is determined only by 82.7% of specialists, but only 37.1% accept anesthetic support for morbid obesity. Complete “routine” laboratory screening was considered mandatory by 68.5%, advisable — by 56.9%. About 67.3% of specialists do not assess functional reserves (MET), and cardiac risk scales are used by 50.4% of physicians. Difficult airway assessment is performed by 92.3% of specialists. About 45.6% of respondents manage patients receiving glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists; 7.3% noted episodes of regurgitation/aspiration, 3.6% routinely use gastric ultrasound assessment. In anesthetic care, preventive analgesia is used by 61.7%, local methods are preferred by 47.6% of specialists. About 82.7% of specialists prefer propofol as basic method of general anesthesia, 42.3% — inhalational anesthetics, 68.5% — opioid-free anesthesia. In postoperative period, 35.9% of respondents do not use recovery scales; the modified Aldrete scale (49.6%) and VAS scale for pain assessment (67.7%) are the most common. Discharge of patients only accompanied by adults is supported by 70.6% of specialists. Presence of well-functioning transportation to the hospital is noted by 77.8% of specialists. Conclusion. Outpatient anesthetic care in the Russian Federation covers surgical and non-surgical medicine. Key areas for improving safety are identified: standardization of preoperative stratification (assessment of functional reserve (MET), cardiac risk), reduced number of unnecessary routine examinations in low-risk patients, use of validated scales in postoperative period, vigilance and introduction of instrumental methods for assessing the risk of aspiration in patients receiving glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists.