Screening high-risk patients for the ambulatory setting.
Screening patients for ambulatory surgery is a team effort that requires diligence by all staff members to elicit information through the use of good communication skills as well as a thorough screening tool. A careful review of body systems is a must, with focused attention on vital organ systems. When a holistic approach is used, the true picture of the patient's needs and concerns emerges. This article reviews the importance of diligent preoperative screening of high-risk patients for the ambulatory surgical care setting. The primary focus is on patients with cardiac disease, obesity, and sleep apnea.
Scales
Barbara A
BA
PACU, Harrison Center Outpatient Surgery, Syracuse, NY, USA. scales63079@aol.com
D000465:Algorithms; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000592:standards*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000379:methods; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis