3. PREOPERATIVE ASSESSMENT AND PREMEDICATION

3.1 The policy of the Department is that all patients, regardless of classification, clinical urgency or time of admission should have pre-operative assessment carried out by an appropriate member of staff. The following interpretation of that policy is proposed :-

3.1.1 Patients who are "day admit for surgery" patients or selected day only patients are seen in the Pre-Admission Clinic. If the assessment is carried out by a staff member other than the anaesthetist giving the anaesthetic, a copy of the pre-operative assessment should be forwarded to the anaesthetist doing the case.

3.1.2 Patients admitted prior to the day of surgery are to be seen by the anaesthetists allocated to the list.

3.1.3 Trainees allocated to operating lists are required to see all patients on those lists, irrespective of their insured status. They may not delegate this duty to another, even if absent from the hospital on the day preceding surgery.

3.1.4 When cases are added to a scheduled operating session after the Department's offices are closed, it is the responsibility of the registrar-on-duty to notify the anaesthetist concerned so that arrangements can be made for pre-operative assessment.

3.1.5 When emergencies are added to an Operating List during normal hours, these patients will be assessed by the Consultant or Registrar on duty if the person who will administer the anaesthetic cannot do so.

3.1.6 Narcotic premedications require that the name of the drug be written in full and that, in addition to his signature, the Anaesthetist should print his name as well.

3.1.7 As far as possible, premedications should be ordered to time.

3.1.8 If premedication must be ordered "on call", it is the Anaesthetist's responsibility to ensure that the Anaesthetic Nurse contacts the ward when the time is known.

3.1.9 In the event that a premedication has not been given when the patient is called for by portering staff, the department's standing orders are that premedication will be given.