Preoperative Care

Preoperative care refers to health care provided before a surgical operation, aiming to do whatever is right to increase the success of the surgery. At some point before the operation the healthcare provider assesses the fitness of the person to undergo surgery, an assessment that should include whatever tests are clinically indicated, such as checking blood pressure or looking for signs of sepsis, but should not include screening for unrelated conditions with no indication, such as checking for high cholesterol. Immediately before surgery the person body is prepared, for instance by washing with an antiseptic, and if needed their anxiety is addressed to make them comfortable.