Course Overview

A raft of potential complications can occur when a patient undergoes surgery. Detailed preoperative assessments and identification of high-risk surgical patients can reduce the risk of adverse events occurring and improve patient outcomes.

Topics

• What are nurse-led pre-op assessments?
• How can we identify high-risk patients before surgery?
• What are preoperative best-practices for patients with a high BMI, older adults and patients with multiple comorbidities?

Need

There are inherent risks for any patient undergoing a surgical procedure, such as an unplanned return to theatre, escalation to a critical care environment, disability and even death. Preventing poor outcomes and costly surgical complications is the priority throughout the perioperative phase. Knowing how to perform and report the results of a structured and detailed preoperative assessment, especially of high-risk patients, is essential to reduce the potential of harm through adverse events.

Purpose

The purpose of this Ausmed Course is to update and expand your knowledge relating to preoperative assessments, especially in high-risk patients.

Learning Outcomes

• Provide nurse-led care to patients during the preoperative period that is underpinned by best available evidence and improves the preparedness of patients for surgery.
• Be better able to recognise high-risk individuals during a holistic preoperative assessment to reduce risks associated with surgical interventions.
• Effectively communicate preoperative assessment findings to the appropriate health professionals to ensure patients receive continuity of care.

Target Audience

This Ausmed Course is relevant to registered nurses working in medical/surgical environments who are caring for patients undergoing surgical interventions, especially older adults, patients with a high BMI and those with multiple comorbidities.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest exists for anyone in the position to control content for this activity. Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications or products have been used.

Educator

Suzanne Querruel View profile

Suzanne Querruel is an associate lecturer at Charles Sturt University and a nurse educator with a particular expertise in perianaesthesia nursing. She has taught at a wide variety of tertiary institutions, tutoring and lecturing at the Bachelor of Nursing program for Western Sydney University and coordinating the Westmead Private Hospital anaesthetic program. Suzanne is passionate about advancing the perioperative nursing field.