FAQs

The Preoperative Association was launched in 2004 and provides support, information and education for anaesthetists, nurses and other health practitioners involved in preoperative assessment and preparation.

Have a question? Get in touch

1. Where can I find the latest guidance on perioperative management of diabetes?

The Centre of Perioperative Care produced Guideline for perioperative care for people with diabetes undergoing elective and emergency surgery.

Download here
2. What is shared decision making?

Shared decision making is now a key concept for every aspect of perioperative care. There is a worldwide focus on this approach to treatment decisions, which is already a legal standard in the UK. One in three high-risk patients choosing surgery will experience serious medical complications leading to long-term decline in health and quality of life. Awareness of these long-term risks is poor among both doctors and patients. Consequently, many high-risk patients do not receive the information they need to make an informed decision about surgery.

Shared decision making is a collaborative process between clinicians and patients, which aims to select the most suitable treatment option based on both best available evidence and informed patient preferences.
3. Which risk assessment tool should I use?

There are many risk assessment tools available to use. The Centre of Perioperative Medicine has listed commonly used tools.

Click here

Risk assessment tools can be used as part of the shared-decision making process so that patients are fully informed about the risk of surgery and long term complications, allowing an informed decision about surgery.
4. What nursing skills should I have for Preoperative Assessment?

Each Preoperative assessment (POA) unit is unique to its local environment. The POA should adapt to the needs of its patients and the range of surgical procedures undertaken. As such, each POA will require the inter-professional team to develop its own skill set. Training and competency assessments within the POA unit should support the individual practitioner to develop safe practice and effective care.

The Preoperative Association has produced a framework of nursing skills for preoperative assessment. We encourage nurses to have a mentor to provide support as well as training and competency assessment. Effective communication and discussion within the inter-professional team will enhance the learning experience of nurses, improving patient care and hospital efficiency.
5. What is the role of the Band 4 Nurse Associate in Preoperative Assessment?

Within the Preoperative Assessment (POA) setting, the role Nurse Associate have a key role in the delivery of safe and effective care, releasing time of Registered nurses and other healthcare professionals for the more complex patients. Nurse Associates are registered with the NMC. They should have clear guidance about their role and responsibilities.

For Preoperative Assessment (POA), the Nurse Associate will have completed their university requirements and in addition, have completed additional competencies required to demonstrate comprehension and application of safe patient preparation for elective surgery. As with all nursing staff within POA, quarterly audit and annual competency is assessed to ensure skills are maintained and accurately applied.
6. There is a useful resource not currently available or linked to on the website

Please email us with any suggestions for resources that colleagues would find useful and we will aim to include these whenever possible

info@pre-op.org
7. I have a problem/query with payment for Preoperative Association membership

Please log in to your account and review the ‘account details’ section in the top right hand corner and email info@pre-op.org if this fails to resolve the issue.
8. What date does my membership year commence?

The renewal membership fee is due by the 1st March for all members irrespective of the date a member first joins the Preoperative Association. The full membership can be paid by online debit / credit card payment. There is no pro-rata reduction in membership fee during the first year if joining partly through a membership year.
9. Why do I have to pay 2 course fees for the Foundation Course?

The 3 day Foundation course is divided into 2 parts. Part 1 Foundation course consists of 2 days of interactive virtual lectures. Part 2 Foundation course will consist of face-to-face small group teaching. Dates of Part 2 will be announced during 2022 and is dependent on COVID restrictions. The Preoperative Association has decided to charge for Parts 1 and 2 separately.