What is Pre-Assessment?

 

It is the preparation and management of a patient prior to surgery. We assess patients fitness for anaesthetic and to make sure you are fit for surgery.

 

Pre- Assessment is individualized for each patient and standard tests for each procedure.

 

Anaesthetist led clinics - If any concerns are identified during your assessment, our nurse will discuss these with your consultant or anaesthetist before your surgery to ensure it is safe to proceed as planned. You may be asked to come for a face to face appointment with the anaesthetist. The nurse will advise you if further assessment with your anaesthetist is required.

 

Patients who are physically and psychologically prepared for surgery tend to have better surgical outcomes.

 

Preparing for your Pre-assessment

 

Your nurse will ask about your present and past medical and surgical history, so we would recommend that you have the following information available for your appointment:

• A list of all tablets and medications you are currently taking (including doses) and your prescriptions. 
• Any hospital letters, and test results you have that are relevant to your admission.

 

You may need some routine tests, such as blood pressure, blood test, an ECG, height and weight and, you may be required to provide a urine sample. We screen all patients coming for surgery for MRSA (please refer to resource page).

 

Your nurse will talk you through everything you need to know before your surgery. This may include stopping certain medications, and will also make note of any special requirements and allergies that we need to be aware of before your admission for surgery.

 

You may eat and drink as normal and take your usual medicines before your Pre-Assessment appointment. 

 

Appointments

 

If you need extra support during your  appointment, please let us know in advance. We can help if you:

• need a translator or interpreter
• consider yourself to have a learning disability - Please bring in your Hospital Passport if you have one. Alternatively, please inform your nurse to help you obtain one for your records.
• need additional help getting to and from hospital. This service is not available to everyone and you will be assessed to see if you meet the criteria.

 

The appointment letter will detail whether you are being asked to attend an appointment in person, or whether you have been booked for a telephone assessment. The appointment time can vary depending on your surgery or procedure and the number of tests that are required.

 

Please be aware that you may be asked to attend the hospital for some tests before your procedure after your telephone pre-assessment.  Our hospital calls will appear as though they are coming from a private number/unknown caller.

 

At times, we will book you for two separate pre-assessment appointments, one with the nurse to run through the health questionnaire, and the other one to complete any relevant tests. We aim to arrange these together where possible to minimise the number of times you are required to visit the hospital.

 

If you have any questions, if you’re unable to make your appointment or feel unwell in the run-up to your appointment, please call the number provided on your appointment letter or contact details below. 

 

Occasionally, we may need to cancel your appointment. We will let you know as soon as possible, but cancellations on the day may occur. Please arrive on time for your appointment.

Patient Resources :

 

Fasting Instructions

Anaesthetic Information

Preventing Blood Clots

MRSA Screening

Stopping smoking

Day Surgery Unit