title: An audit of preoperative blood tests.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Audit of the use of preoperative blood tests in elective general surgery in a district general hospital. Comparison is made with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines and recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective audit of preoperative blood tests performed for elective general surgical patients in a district general hospital over a one month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients attending preoperative assessment for general surgery have blood tests performed in excess of the NICE guidelines. The most frequently requested test that is performed against NICE guidelines is a coagulation screen. This was requested in excess of the national guidelines in 17.8% of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This audit highlights the overuse of preoperative blood tests and provides suggestions for improving efficiency and economics in the preoperative setting. ORIGINALITY/VALUE OF PAPER: There have been no published audits assessing the current practice against the 2003 NICE guidelines for the use of routine preoperative tests for elective surgery.
authors: General Surgery, SE Thames Region.
authors: Soni
authors: S
authors: Putnis
authors: Joe
authors: J
authors: Nanuck
authors: Dugal
authors: D
authors: Heath
mesh_terms: D019963:Clinical Chemistry Tests; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006403:Hematologic Tests; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom