Before surgery, your doctor needs to know your body is strong enough to handle it. Preoperative clearance prepares you for an operation and ensures it can be completed without complications. If you need preoperative clearance, contact Kavita Namjoshi, MD, at Premier Health Consultants of Northern Virginia in Reston, Virginia. She has the expertise to prep you for your upcoming operation. To schedule an appointment, call either office or book an appointment online today.
Preoperative Clearances Q&A
What are preoperative clearances?
Before an operation, you may have to be cleared by a medical professional to ensure you’re healthy enough. A preoperative clearance assesses the condition of the patient and acts as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the healthcare provider and focus on health risks associated with surgery.
Pre-operative clearance should be obtained at least one week before surgery. During preoperative clearance, your physician can determine:
- Anesthetic choices
- Postoperative management
- Ways to stratify risk
These are obtained as a matter of protocol and to ensure the surgery goes smoothly.
What tests are done during preoperative clearance?
The tests done during a preoperative clearance depend on the patient’s medical history and what Dr. Namjoshi finds during her physical examination. If a patient exhibits symptoms of cardiovascular disease, they need many tests done no matter their preoperative status.
If a patient undergoes a high-risk or intermediate-risk procedure with additional health risks, they need an electrocardiography. If a patient is at risk for postoperative pulmonary complications, they also need a chest radiography.
For patients who are undergoing invasive urologic procedures, Dr. Namjoshi may take a urine test. Electrolyte and creatinine testing are both done in the case of chronic disease which could cause electrolyte abnormalities or renal failure.
If a patient is at risk of anemia or if significant postoperative blood loss is a suspected complication, Dr. Namjoshi also recommends a blood count.
Why is there so much variation in preoperative testing?
Because so many different things can happen during an operation, Dr. Namjoshi must determine what’s most likely to happen during a procedure. If she is familiar with your medical history and has treated you for a while, she’s in an ideal situation to take an active role in minimizing risks and maximizing postoperative comfort after surgery.
In short, patients need different types of tests based on their unique physiology. Doing all preoperative testing can be cumbersome and costly for patients. Performing the right tests during preoperative clearance is vital for a smooth surgery.
If you need a procedure done in the near future, and you want preoperative clearance from a doctor who weighs the risks and manages symptoms carefully, contact Premier Health Consultants of Northern Virginia today.