Preoperative Risk Assessment in Rural Surgery

Preoperative risk assessment aims to identify patients with a higher risk of peri- and postoperative complications early during the preparation for elective surgery. Preoperative risk assessment is done via a nurse-led preadmission clinic and may require specialist anaesthetist input or even complete anaesthetic risk assessment. A dedicated preadmission clinic can reduce the risk of surgical intervention, contributes to a significant reduction of delays on operating lists as well as late cancellations. Preadmission clinics should be established in all hospitals performing medium and major surgery on an elective basis.