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The pre‐operative anaesthetic visit
Author(s) -
Nightingale J. J.,
Lack J. A.,
Stubbing J. F.,
Reed J.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1992.tb03261.x
Subject(s) - medicine , postponement , ignorance , local anaesthetic , general surgery , anesthesia , surgery , operations management , philosophy , epistemology , economics
Summary One hundred and thirty‐two patients staying in hospital more than 24 h were visited pre‐ and postoperatively. Patients were asked a standard set of questions, and 39% could not remember accurately what they were asked. This has important medicolegal implications. In 15% of patients, information that significantly altered subsequent anaesthetic management was discovered, but in less than 3% would ignorance of the patient's condition have required postponement of the surgery. We conclude that the major reason for a pre‐operative visit by an anaesthetist is that patients appreciate it, rather than it being medically necessary.