title: [Preoperative anesthesia evaluation in Lebanon].
abstract: This research aims to study the organization of the preoperative anesthesia consultation in Lebanon (percentage, timing, location), the premedication of patients, the degree of patient consent and the medico-legal aspect of this medical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire of 24 questions, covering all objectives, has been developed and distributed to 124 Lebanese anesthesiologists. This sample was obtained after stratification of Lebanese hospitals according to the five districts of Lebanon. Lebanese laws concerning consultation anesthesia were also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  91% of the surveyed Lebanese anesthesiologists practice the preoperative evaluation of patients. The preoperative visit is made only the day before surgery (76%), not necessarily in a space dedicated to this consultation (56%). Premedication is not prescribed by 33% of anesthesiologists. Informed consent is absent in 32% of anesthesiologists. In addition, the information on blood transfusion is routinely given to patients by only 19% of anesthesiologists. Moreover, some Lebanese laws are not in conformity with international trends, and others, when conformed still remain poorly enforced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current practice in Lebanon, concerning the timing and place of the preoperative anesthesia evaluation, the patient's premedication, the latter's consent and some Lebanese laws concerning these issues should be modified in order to improve the quality of care of the patient perioperatively.
authors.affiliation: Département d'Anesthésie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rafic Hariri (RHUH), Beyrouth, Liban. ziadfadel@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ziad
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fadel
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires