After this session you’ll be able to:

1. Define the role of the preadmission department - what it is and what it is not.
2. Develop criteria for patient selection based on available resources to mitigate your organizational risk.
3. Describe how a solid preadmission and patient selection process can provide an essential safety net for your ASC.

Why this is important:

CBC - check. EKG - check. H&P - check. Have you ever had a poor surgical outcome and heard the question, “Why was this patient allowed to have surgery here?” While preanesthesia testing protocols have become fairly standardized across the country, there are many other factors that determine patient selection. Community-based ambulatory surgery centers may not have a full-blown anesthesia clinic, yet the onus remains on the organization to vet patients properly.

Meyer and Flynn will provide insights and lessons learned to help you understand your own preadmission department, explain the difference between the cost benefit of efficiency versus safety, and ensure your patient selection process is in line with your resources.