Pre-anaesthesia assessments have evolved to improve efficiency and reduce cancellation rates, but active patient involvement remains underexplored in optimizing outcomes.
What are the current approaches and outcomes of pre-anaesthesia assessments for adults undergoing elective surgery?
Pre-anaesthesia practices have evolved to improve efficiency and reduce cancellations, with emerging technologies offering new potential, though active patient involvement remains underexplored.
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%
ABSTRACT Introduction Pre‐anaesthesia (PA) assessments aim to ensure that anaesthesia is administered as safely and efficiently as possible, minimising risks and improving patient care. While the goal remains the same, the content, delivery, setup and evaluation of PA assessments have evolved over the years, driven by technological opportunities and healthcare systems' needs. Hence, the objective of this study was to systematically review and map the literature regarding pre‐anaesthesia approaches and outcomes. Method A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses extension for scoping reviews checklist, using the five main steps described by Arksey and O'Malley and refined by Levac. Results Of the initial 3909 studies, 383 in full‐text were assessed for eligibility, resulting in 112 included studies. The studies were conducted from 1979 onwards, across more than 35 countries. These data represented 369,709 aggregate patients and 2522 healthcare professionals. Common themes amongst the included studies were implementation of a PA clinic, reduction of cancellation rates, information and teaching activities (both patients and clinicians), and optimisation and improvement of the PA assessment using information technology. Conclusion This review highlights the evolving nature of PA practices, shaped by diverse historical and clinical contexts. While many efforts have aimed to improve efficiency, reduce cancellations and enhance safety and satisfaction, emerging technologies offer new potential to further streamline assessments. Despite extensive focus on patient education, active patient involvement in the PA process remains underexplored. A forward‐looking strategy should integrate flexible, personalised elements—such as frailty scoring—while fostering patient engagement and shared decision‐making to optimise outcomes.
Brix et al. (Tue,) reported a other. Pre-anaesthesia assessments have evolved to improve efficiency and reduce cancellation rates, but active patient involvement remains underexplored in optimizing outcomes.