title: The ASA classification and peri-operative risk.
abstract: The ASA classification is an assessment of the patient’s preoperative physical status. On its own, the ASA classification of physical status is not a predictor of operative risk. Operative risk is a combination of: the physical status of the patient; the physiological derangement that the procedure will cause; the skill and experience of the operator; the skill and experience of the anaesthetist (including the choice of anaesthetic); and the physiological support service in the peri-operative period (including pre-operative optimisation and critical care). A patient for an elective procedure with an ASA grade of 3 or 4 needs a consultation with a senior anaesthetist as far before the proposed surgery as is possible. This will enable the patient’s physical condition to be optimised with better post-operative outcome and will reduce the chance of ‘on the day’ cancellation due to being medically unfit.
authors.affiliation: Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. jo.fitz-henry@nuh.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fitz-Henry
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012307:Risk Factors