Anesthetic Pre-operative Evaluation (CAPE) Clinic – Surgery Anesthesia

The Clinic for Anesthetic Pre-operative Evaluation (CAPE) is a specialty clinic where patients are evaluated for their fitness to undergo anesthesia or deep sedation prior to undergoing a surgical procedure. Risk assessment, education and optimum preparation for the anesthetic experience are put into place.

Benefits of a CAPE visit:

•  Enhances patient safety as a result of thorough scrutiny, improved preparation, and a better understanding of the anesthesia experience
•  Allows the healthcare team to formulate plans for operation, recovery and pain management
• Reduces surgical cancellations due to unrecognized sources of complications
• Decreases the cost of pre-operative care and improves the quality of the patient’s hospital experience

The Anesthesiologist at CAPE:

 Conducts a preanesthetic evaluation which includes

•  Review of medical records
•  Patient interview
• A directed physical examination, at a minimum to include an assessment of the development of the teeth, airway, lungs, and heart
• Preoperative tests, when indicated
• Other consultations, when appropriate
• Explains and demonstrates relevant points to the patient
• Formulates an appropriate anesthesia plan for the procedure the patient is to undergo
• Undertakes an informed consent
• Gives instructions about fasting, medication(s), and appropriate therapeutic measures