Economic Aspects of an Anesthesia Preoperative Evaluation Clinic

Studies continue to demonstrate that preoperative evaluation clinics help to prepare patients for surgery in a manner that minimizes cost and optimizes outcomes. These clinics are becoming common in both teaching and community hospitals. Many full service preoperative assessment clinics utilize specially trained nurses who are under the direction of an anesthesiologist. These clinics are associated with favorable outcomes, dramatic decreases in preoperative testing, infrequent subspecialty consultation and shorter lengths of stay. The current literature is reviewed and organizational and clinical changes that improve efficiency and patient care are highlighted.