title: The pre-operative anaesthetic visit. Its value to the patient and the anaesthetist.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Odstock Hospital, Salisbury, Wilts.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Nightingale
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lack
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Stubbing
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000776:Anesthesiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000523:psychology*