Objective To investigate the cancellation of ambulatory surgeries based on doctor-patient assistants, analyze the reasons, and propose corresponding strategies in order to improve the utilization of medical resources and the operational efficiency of hospitals. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patient data between May 2021 and October 2023, who successfully scheduled surgery at the Day Surgery Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Military Medical University and cancelled the surgery due to various reasons. The reasons for the cancellation were also analyzed. Results A total of 5691 surgeries were scheduled, and 27 surgeries were cancelled before admission, with a cancellation rate of 0.47%. A total of 5607 surgeries were completed, and 57 surgeries were cancelled on the day of surgery, with a cancellation rate of 1.01%. Among all departments, patients in Gastrointestinal Surgery Department and Urology Department had the highest cancellation rates before admission (1.61% and 0.68%, respectively), and the highest cancellation rates on the day of surgery (1.43% and 1.38%, respectively). The most common reason for cancellation before admission was surgical doctor business travel/other arrangements (22.22%). The most common reason for cancellation on the day of surgery was preoperative respiratory infections in patients (14.04%). ConclusionsThe establishment of doctor-patient assistant positions can to some extent help reduce the cancellation of ambulatory surgery before admission and on the day of surgery. For patients undergoing ambulatory surgery, preoperative education and evaluation should be strengthened, and management processes and systems should be improved, in order to reduce the cancellation rate of ambulatory surgery and improve hospital operational efficiency.