Preoperative Assessment of Patients in an Enhanced Recovery Program

Author

Edward MitzelfeltFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-8-2020

Document Type

DNP Project

Project Team Faculty Member

Cynthia Schmidt

Project Team Faculty Member

Adam Schneider

Keywords

Enhanced Recovery, Preoperative Assessment, Evaluation tool, Surgery, Anesthesia

Abstract

All patients undergoing surgery are at risk for perioperative morbidity and mortality (Gabriel et al, 2018) and a patient’s physical status plays a key role in patient outcomes (Hopkins et al, 2016). Enhanced recovery programs are intended to improve perioperative outcomes, facilitate postoperative recovery, and reduce loss of functional capacity (Feldheiser et al, 2016). Preoperative assessment allows for identification of risk factors which can be modified, with the aim of decreasing perioperative complications. A small community hospital had no standardized preoperative evaluation tool to use for their enhanced recovery patients. The purpose of this project was to create and implement a surgical preassessment tool which would be easy to use and would identify patient risk factors that could be optimized prior to the patient’s elective surgery. Based on the literature and in collaboration with stakeholders, an evidence based surgical preassessment tool was developed and revised via modification of a preexisting enhanced recovery assessment tool. The surgical preassessment tool was introduced to appropriate staff, was positively received, and now continues to be regularly used at least four weeks prior to surgery via telephone interview.

Recommended Citation

Mitzelfelt, Edward, "Preoperative Assessment of Patients in an Enhanced Recovery Program" (2020). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 79.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/79

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