[Risk evaluation in German clinics. Results of a survey].
BACKGROUND
Risk evaluation is essential for the choice of individual surgical therapy. The aim of this survey was to examine whether preoperative risk analysis is routine in surgical therapy.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to 1,159 clinics to assess how preoperative risk was evaluated and who carried out the evaluation. In addition, the factors used to determine the postoperative course and the way in which postoperative complications were observed were established.


RESULTS
A total of 636 clinics filled out the questionnaire. Preoperative risk factors substantially influenced the postoperative course. The ASA classification was the most commonly used. Anesthesiologists together with surgeons evaluated the preoperative risk in 67% of cases. No preoperative risk evaluation was made in 12% of the clinics, and 21% did not record the postoperative complications regularly.


CONCLUSIONS
Risk evaluation and control of postoperative complications are an important part of good clinical practice.
Wolters
U
U
Klinik und Poliklinik für Visceral- und Gefässchirurgie der Universität zu Köln. Wolters@KHS-Frechen.de
Bollschweiler
E
E
Ekkernkamp
A
A
Hölscher
A H
AH
D005858:Germany; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires