title: Preoperative screening.
abstract: In screening the preoperative patient, several sources of risk, each with potentially modifiable components, must be considered. These include risks related to the proposed procedure, anesthetic, and medical illnesses present in the patient. To screen effectively, one must look for potential factors in each area that may affect perioperative morbidity and mortality. Once risk areas are identified, it is helpful to quantify them further through a focused testing approach, especially when the anticipated surgical or anesthetic risks are high. Data obtained through this process should guide the optimization of the patient's medical status to modify risks when possible. Sharing information obtained during the preoperative assessment with both anesthesiologists and surgeons helps to refine plans for management and may better ensure patient safety in the perioperative period.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Preoperative Assessment, Consultation, and Treatment (IMPACT) Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Litaker
mesh_terms: D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification*; D014481:United States