Pre-operative assessment

Before your surgery you will need to complete a pre-operative assessment. This multi-award winning nurse-led team will make sure that you are fit for the operation that is planned.

The team will initially send you an online questionnaire to complete at home. This will include questions about your general health and any medication that you may currently be taking. If you are unable to complete the questionnaire alone, one of the team will arrange to call you and go through it. All questionnaires are then be reviewed by an experienced senior nurse.

Next you will be invited to meet with one of our pre-operative assessment team at a face-to-face appointment. These clinics are run at a number of locations and an appointment closer to home at one of our community sites may be possible.

During the appointment the nurse will carry out various tests and investigations. This may include some of the following checks:

 

• Blood pressure
   
• Height
   
• Weight
   
• Oxygen levels
   
• Pulse
   
• MRSA swab – This will screen for the MRSA bacteria which can cause infections. Any infections must be treated before you have surgery.
   
• Respiratory rate
   
• Electrocardiaogram (ECG) – This records the rate, rhythm and electrical activity of your heart.
   
• A physical examination – This examination involves the nurse listening to your heart and lungs. You may need to partially undress for this examination.

 

Some patients will require more tests than others and after your initial assessment you may require some further checks. This could include being invited to a clinic led by a consultant anaesthetist.

General advice ahead of your operation, such as stopping smoking and reducing your alcohol intake, will be given during the initial appointment. Your nurse will also provide specific instructions around any preparation you need to make, including guidance around medication you may routinely take.