Pre-operative assessment

What is pre-operative assessment all about?

All patients should go through a pre-operative assessment of some kind in order to assess their general fitness and health before proceeding with surgery.  Assessment of each individual's specific needs will allow anaesthetists and surgeons to provide the most appropriate care.  This process identifies any conditions and potential risks so that we can properly prepare to look after our patients. 

Most patients being admitted for an inpatient stay will visit the Oxford Clinic for a pre-operative assessment.  Operations such as joint replacement and spinal surgery will always be asked to visit for pre-operative assessment. 

Pre-assessment is an excellent opportunity for you to raise any questions that you may have about your planned treatment and discuss them in detail with the team. 

Health Questionnaire

All patients are provided with a health questionnaire (click here to download) to complete and return before being admitted for treatment.  One of our nurses or healthcare assistants will go through the quesionnaire over the telephone if there is not enough time to post it back to us before your appointment.  The health questionnaire is used as part of our pre-operative assessment. 

Your pre-operative assessment appointment

If you are required to attend one of these appointments you will go through a very thorough assessment of your general health and wellbeing.  As part of the assessment you will be seen by a nurse, physiotherapist and one of our resident doctors as appropriate to your planned treatment. 

The appointment will be in parts: each member of the of the multi-disciplinary team will see you individually and the process can last for two to three hours.  It is always encouraged that you bring a family member or friend with you to your appointment, ideally someone who will be assisting you in your recovery after your discharge from hospital. 

Tests carried out

A variety of tests may be carried out, depending on individuals' general fitness and health.  These tests can include the following:

  • Activities of daily living - to see how we can best prepare you for your return home after treatment
  • Blood tests - including to check for any blood disorders and identify potential anaesthetic risks, blood sugar and oxygen levels
  • Historical review - to discuss in detail any relevant previous medical conditions identified in your health questionnaire or raised at the time of your assessment
  • Medication - to check what regular medication you are taking in detail to assess whether any changes need to be made before an operation

Infection control and prevention

At the Oxford Clinic we take infection control and prevention very seriously.  As part of your pre-assessment there are certain procedures (including joint replacement and spinal surgery) for which you will be screened for MRSA as a matter of routine.  We shall also test for MRSA if you have stayed in hospital as an inpatient in the past twelve months.