Preparing for the operation or exploration

The anaesthesiology team contacts the patient to conduct a pre-anaesthetic assessment using one of these options:

• By phone or online.
• Face-to-face assessment at the Anaesthesiology clinic days or weeks before the procedure.
• Immediate assessment just before any urgent intervention.

The goals of pre-anaesthetic evaluation are:

• Get to know the physical condition of the patient and the medical and surgical history. This can be done with a health questionnaire and/or by direct interview. Health professionals also have access to the history at the primary care centre (my health/shared medical history), if necessary.
• Provide information about the anaesthetic procedure, its associated risks and answer any questions the patient may have.
• Request any additional tests considered necessary (e.g. an analysis or radiology)
• Explain the recommendations for the days before the procedure, according to the type of medication the patient takes on a regular basis.
• Assess whether the patient should enter the prehabilitation programme to maximise his physical condition and optimise any chronic diseases he may have. The objective of this programme is to improve postoperative recovery and reduce associated risks.
• Sign the "Informed Consent" form if the visit is in person. If the consultation is by phone, the patient will be asked to sign it on the day of the procedure.

Specific preparation for the test or procedure

The surgeon attending the patient, or the doctor requesting the test or procedure under anaesthesia, explains the information to be taken into account and provides it in writing.