Preanesthesia Patient Evaluation

The preanesthesia evaluation usually occurs when the anesthesia provider first meets a patient scheduled for a surgical intervention. The importance of the preanesthesia evaluation must be underscored as it represents the foundation for the anesthetic plan. A continuum of care that starts with the initial assessment and ends with the complete recovery of the surgical patient requires intervention by the anesthesiologist as a perioperative physician. Moreover, the anesthesiologist is both the patient’s advocate and the leader of the perioperative pathway. This chapter focuses on the rational use of screening tools and resources to evaluate patients as well as risk stratification based on a systematic approach that includes a careful assessment of the various organ systems for a planned procedure. The relevance of the informed consent process and documentation as well as the elements of preanesthesia evaluation in special circumstances are also addressed.