Anesthesiology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Anesthesiology, including details on clinical anesthesiology, evidence based practice, techniques.

The impact of a consultant anaesthetist led pre-operative assessment clinic on patients undergoing major vascular surgery.

Cantlay KL, Baker S, Parry A, Danjoux G

Department of Anaesthesia, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS5 3BW, UK.

Summary Patients undergoing major vascular surgery are at high risk of peri-operative morbidity and mortality owing to a combination of advanced age, significant co-morbidity and the nature of the surgery. A consultant-led pre-operative assessment clinic provides an opportunity to stratify these patients on the basis of risk in advance of surgery, to make timely multidisciplinary referrals where appropriate, and to prescribe medical therapies according to the current best evidence. This results in fewer last-minute cancellations for medical reasons and increased patient satisfaction, and may improve patient outcome. Such a clinic also provides an educational arena for nursing and trainee medical staff, and importantly allows those patients in whom the risks are felt to outweigh the potential benefits of surgery to be managed in a more fully informed manner.

Published 16 February 2006 in Anaesthesia, 61(3): 234-9.
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