This document provides guidelines for preoperative patient assessment and fasting. It outlines conducting a thorough history and physical exam to determine the patient's surgical risks and optimize perioperative care. Key parts of the assessment include the patient's medical history, medications, allergies, review of systems, and fitness classification. Recommended preoperative tests vary based on the patient and surgery. Fasting guidelines differentiate clear liquids, which require only a 2 hour fast, from solid foods and milk requiring at least a 6 hour fast prior to anesthesia.

1. History, examination and relevant investigations

17. Age Points <44 0 45-54 2 55-64 3 65-74 5 >75 6 History of severe organ insufficiency Points Non-operative patients 5 Emergency postoperative patients 5 Elective postoperative patients 2

19. Investigations

31. Airway Assessment

40. Hyomental Distance – 3 finger breadths Thyrohyoid distance – 2 finger breadths

48. Preoperative Fasting Guidelines

52. Ingested Material Minimum Fasting Period Clear liquids 2hrs Breast Milk 4hrs Infant Formula 6hrs Non-human milk 6hrs Light meal 6hrs