• To enable you to adopt a holistic approach to the care of patients due to undergo surgery
• To understand which patients are at increased risk of perioperative and postoperative complications
• To count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account (UK readers)
• To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers)
There has been an increase in the number of patients requiring surgery who also have complex medical needs. Factors such as being overweight, the presence of significant comorbidities and an ageing population increase the risks associated with surgical procedures for these individuals. As a result, nurses involved in assessing patients and providing preoperative care require knowledge and understanding of the latest evidence in this area to optimise patient care and outcomes following surgery. This article suggests that optimal outcomes can be achieved by preparing patients for surgery in a holistic manner. It also discusses the role of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes.
Nursing Standard. 33, 6, 74-81. doi: 10.7748/ns.2018.e11170
CitationLiddle C (2018) An overview of the principles of preoperative care. Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2018.e11170
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Correspondence Conflict of interestNone declared
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