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If you're coming to Tufts Medical Center or Tufts Medical Center in Boston for surgery, we want you to have the best experience possible. That's why we established the Center for Preoperative Assessment.
You'll come to the Center for Preoperative Assessment two to four weeks before your elective surgery. We schedule this visit to:
Our team of anesthesiologists, residents and nurses evaluates all adult and pediatric patients undergoing elective surgery and certain nonsurgical procedures at Tufts MC or Tufts Medical Center, either in person or via a phone screen.
Your appointment at our clinic will likely last from 45 minutes to two hours. Typically, a nurse practitioner begins your visit with a comprehensive review of your medical, surgical and anesthesia history. He or she also explains how anesthesia will be used during your surgery and answers your questions about the plan.
Next, your nurse practitioner completes a preoperative nursing evaluation. This involves reviewing a variety of important details, such as your primary language (and whether you'll need an interpreter on the day of surgery), whether you have a healthcare proxy, what medications are safe to take prior to surgery and much more.
Depending on your state of health, we may order certain tests (e.g. blood work, cardiac testing, imaging). These tests allow us to be proactive in detecting and addressing issues that could delay or even cancel your surgery. If necessary, we'll refer you to an appropriate specialist for further evaluation prior to the operation. We also relay all relevant information to your anesthesiologists and surgeons, helping ensure you receive optimal care before, during and after surgery.
Toward the end of your visit, we provide detailed instructions on how to prepare for your surgery. We also have you complete preregistration forms, making your day of surgery a little less hectic.
