Preoperative Assessment

Preoperative assessment establishes that the patient is fully informed and wishes to go ahead with the planned procedure or operation. It ensures that the patient is as fit as possible for the surgery and anaesthetic. It minimises the risk of late cancellations by ensuring that all the essential resources and discharge requirements are identified and coordinated. Helps reduce a patient’s length of stay in hospital before and after surgery. Your preoperative assessment happens after you and your surgeon have decided a surgical procedure is necessary.

Pre-operative assessment clinics are held at The Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (HRI).  A qualified nurse performs the assessment by asking you questions about your general health. If you take medication then you must bring a GP prescription for the nurse to see.  Your blood pressure, weight and height will be checked and you may be sent for blood tests or an ECG. The nurse will also need your next of kin details in case of emergency.

The nurse may suggest you attend the anaesthetic clinic if you are having complex surgery or if you have a medical condition that is unstable or a complex medical history. The nurse will arrange an appointment with you. The preoperative assessment team will give you your admission details and fasting instructions when your operation date is known. If you need to have further blood tests before the planned procedure you will be contacted before the admission date.