Preanesthesia Evaluation

Benefits may include, but are not limited to, the safety of perioperative care, optimal resource use, improved outcomes, and patient satisfaction.

For procedures with low surgical invasiveness, the review and assessment of medical records may be done on or before the day of surgery by anesthesia staff.

The information obtained may include, but should not be limited to, (1) a description of current diagnoses; (2) treatments, including medications and alternative therapies used; and (3) determination of the patient's medical condition(s).

The timing of such assessments may not be practical with the current limitation of resources provided in specific healthcare systems or practice environments.

For patients with low severity of disease and undergoing procedures with high surgical invasiveness, the interview and physical exam should also be performed before the day of surgery.

For patients with low severity of disease undergoing procedures with medium or low surgical invasiveness, the initial interview and physical exam may be performed on or before the day of surgery.

At a minimum, a focused preanesthetic physical examination should include an assessment of the airway, lungs, and heart, with documentation of vital signs.