title: [Preoperative risk evaluation of adult patients for elective, noncardiac surgical interventions. Results of an on-line survey on the status in Germany].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While assessing the medical history and physical examination are the cornerstones of preoperative risk evaluation, the importance of "routine" testing has been critically discussed in recent studies. The joint recommendations of the German Societies of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Surgery and Internal Medicine for preoperative evaluation of adult patients prior to elective, non-cardiac surgery, which were published in November 2010, are the first comprehensive practice guidelines for preoperative evaluation in Germany. Aim of this study was to analyze former strategies for assessing perioperative risk at anaesthesia departments in Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 29-item questionnaire concerning general hospital characteristics, strategies for preoperative evaluation and cognizance of the joint recommendations was developed as an online survey. In particular the reasons for technical assessment were surveyed (i.e. routine, patient age or pre-existing conditions, risk of operation being performed). In certain questions multiple answers were permitted. All hospitals with departments of anaesthesiology in Germany were included. Data are presented as percentages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 396 hospitals (35.6%) completed the questionnaire. Physical examination is not performed regularly (37%) but only when indicated by the medical history. Criteria for performing preoperative electrocardiograms are comorbidities of the cardiovascular (80.1%) and pulmonary systems (42.2%) as well as patient age (52.8%) and as routine measures (10.1%). Laboratory testing was performed as a routine (43.2%) because of patient age (52.8%) or pre-existing conditions (37.3%). Preoperative chest x-ray was carried out when the medical history or physical examination suggest intrathoracic pathologies (81.3%) or was based on patient age (35.9%). The majority of hospitals (89.1%) plan to implement the joint recommendations for preoperative evaluation in the future.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the joint recommendations preoperative testing is more and more directed to patients with an increased perioperative risk which is clinically indicated by medical history and physical examination. However, routine or age-related medical testing is still a frequently used strategy. German medical societies should focus on advanced implementation strategies to change current practices in order to avoid unnecessary diagnostic procedures and to increase patient safety and satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und operative Intensivmedizin, Klinikum der Universität Witten/Herdecke, Kliniken der Stadt Köln gGmbH, Ostmerheimer Str. 200, 51109 Köln, Deutschland. boehmera@kliniken-koeln.de
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Böhmer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Defosse
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Geldner
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mertens
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zwissler
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wappler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D061214:Patient Safety; D010808:Physical Examination; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose