PATIENT INFORMATION
What happens at the pre-anaesthesia visit?
The exact process varies between hospitals, but the visit usually has four parts.
1. Your medical history
You will be asked about illnesses you have now or have had in the past, previous operations, any problems with anaesthesia, allergies, medicines and supplements, and symptoms that could matter during surgery. Questions about chest pain, breathlessness, fainting, snoring, sleep apnoea, recent infections and exercise capacity are common because they can change perioperative planning.
2. Examination
Your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation may be checked. The anaesthesiologist may examine your heart and lungs and assess your mouth, teeth, jaw and neck to understand how easy or difficult it may be to manage your airway.
3. Tests and reports
Not everyone needs the same tests. The decision depends on your health, medicines, age, symptoms and the type of surgery. A healthy person having a minor procedure may need very little testing; a person with significant medical disease or major surgery may need more.
4. A plan
The team may give you instructions about fasting and medicines, request additional tests or specialist input, discuss anaesthesia options and risks, and decide whether any health problem should be treated or stabilised before the procedure.