The PSA received 467 reports regarding preoperative screening and assessment at surgery centers from June 2004 to December 2008. According to the PSA, 43 percent of these reported incidents resulted in harm to the patient and 27 percent indicated a need for improved screening processes.
The PSA warns that preexisting medical conditions — such as sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, hyperactive reactive airway disease, obesity and end-stage renal disease — can place patients at an increased risk for postoperative complications if missed during preoperative screenings.
Surgery centers should perform preoperative risk screenings in addition to nursing and anesthesia assessments for all patients before surgery, according to the advisory.
Read the PSA’s advisory on preoperative screening.
