title: Use of a cardiac algorithm in a preoperative evaluation clinic - a pilot study.
abstract: The preoperative evaluation is vital in providing information to reduce the risks associated with the anesthesia and surgery and improve the quality of care. In the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, we introduced a computer-based cardiac algorithm as part of the preoperative evaluation software. Following the pre-op examination and use of the algorithm, the provider completed a survey regarding their perceived usefulness of the algorithm software. The survey results showed that effective preoperative evaluation can be performed using a preoperative evaluation clinic, users are receptive to the computer-based format and, in most cases, prefer to have the algorithm software available for use in preoperative assessment.
authors.affiliation: Research Service, VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA. bboedeker@unmc.edu
authors.forename: Ben H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Boedeker
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Barak-Bernhagen
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miljkovic
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Nicholas Iv
authors.forename: Ronald L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Bobbie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sweitzer
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D017751:Safety Management; D012984:Software; D013903:Thoracic Surgery