Things to ensure and check off the list before a patient is shifted to the OR for surgery. The responsibility rests mainly with the resident doctor and the registered nurse to ensure complete preoperative preparation of the patient.

1. PUNE ADVENTIST HOSPITAL
PRE - OPERATIVE
CHECKLIST

2. Perioperative nursing phases
• Preoperative phase – begins when the
decision to have the surgery is made and ends
when the patient is transferred to the OR
table
• Intraoperative phase – from initiation of
surgical procedure to when the patient is
shifted to PACU
• Postoperative – from when patient is received
in the PACU to when healing is complete

3. Preoperative nursing care
• It is the preparation and management of a
patient prior to surgery. It includes both
physical and psychological preparation

4. Assessment
• Differs from assessment performed on a
medical patient

5. • Assess current health status
• Allergies
• medications
• Previous surgeries
• Understanding of the surgical procedure and
anaesthesia
• Alcohol and other altering substances
• Social resources
• Cultural consideration

6. Physical assessment
• Cardiovascular system
• Respiratory system
• Renal system
• Neurological system
• Musculoskeletal system
• Nutritional status

7. Psychosocial assessment
• Level of anxiety
• Coping ability
• Support systems

8. Consent
• Nature and intention of surgery
• Name and qualifications of the person
performing the surgery
• Risks including tissue damage, disfigurement
or even death
• Chances of success
• Right of the patient to refuse or later
withdraw consent

9. Investigations
• CBC, blood grouping and cross match
• Fasting blood sugar
• Serum creatinine
• Urinalysis
• Chest X ray
• ECG

10. Nursing interventions
• Explain about diet/medication restrictions
• Educate about reason for NPO status
• Information about dress code for surgery
• For elective cases, patient to be at the hospital
at least 1 to 2 hours prior to scheduled surgery
time

11. Pre operative learning/teaching needs
• Deep breathing exercises, coughing, leg exercises,
ambulation
• Pain control and medications
• Cognitive control to decrease anxiety and enhance
relaxation
• Recovery room orientation
• Probable post operative therapies

12. Final preparation for surgery
• All personal belongings identified and secured
• Jewellery removed
• Dentures removed, labeled and placed in a denture
cup
• Patient is to verbally confirm the surgical procedure
and surgical site. The verification is documented.