C.1 Preoperative Assessment Unit

Preoperative assessments are performed by an anaesthesiologist in the consultation office every morning and by 2 anaesthesiologists based at the hospital, who are in charge of performing this same assessment in admitted patients, whom for whatever reason have not been seen at the Anaesthesiology consultation offices.

The preoperative assessment systematically includes:
• Detailed medical history
• Physical exploration with cardiorespiratory auscultation and assessment of the airway (Mallampati, Wilson test, etc)
• Verification and/or request for complementary or additional tests in accordance with the patient´s condition (ASA) and/or the nature of the surgery (See Figure)
• Verification and/or adjustment of the medication taken by the patient.
• Planning of postoperative patient location (ward, Recovery Unit, ICU)
• Proper premed (antianxiety drugs and ranitidine)

This assessment is further completed with a “self-assessment questionnaire” that the patient needs to fill out prior to undergoing surgery.

In the presence of previously documented allergies against any anaesthetic agent or serious associated pathology, especially if these are uncompensated, the patient will be sent to the corresponding specialists so that the pertinent assessments is performed and/or the most adequate course of treatment is prescribed in each case. Patients who are seen at the consultation office are generally elderly patients, those who present a significant associated pathology, or those undergoing aggressive major surgery.

ADDITIONAL PREOPERATIVE TESTS REQUEST FORM [+]