title: Needs analysis for the development of a preoperative clinic protocol for perioperative beta-blocker therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the development and implementation of a hospital-wide protocol regarding preoperative beta-blocker therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, observational clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preoperative test center at a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  1,000 consecutive patients presenting for a preoperative visit and scheduled for same-day admit surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  An algorithm of indications and contraindications for beta-blocker therapy was designed. Data were collected prospectively on 1,000 consecutive patients between June 1, 2004 and August 31, 2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data collected included patient demographics, medication history, risk factors, indications and contraindications to beta-blocker therapy, as well as surgical risk stratification and postoperative complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  960 of the 1,000 patients underwent surgery and had complete information for the study collected. 169 patients (17.6%) were receiving beta blockers prior to evaluation. Of the patients having high-risk surgery, 72% had a major or minor indication for beta-blocker therapy without contraindication. Of the patients having intermediate or low-risk surgery, 10% had a major indication for beta blockers without contraindication. Overall, 52% (409/791) of the patients who were candidates for perioperative beta blockers were not receiving them. Some type of complication was experienced by 59 (6.1%) patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Development, implementation, and monitoring of perioperative beta-blocker therapy protocols is necessary, as a significant number of appropriate patients do not receive this therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. dhepner@partners.org
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hepner
authors.forename: Darin J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Correll
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Beckman
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Klickovich
authors.forename: Kenneth H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Usha
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Govindarajulu
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bader
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000592:standards*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000592:standards; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists