What action is being taken?
The goal of this project is to standardize and reduce inappropriate pre-operative testing and evaluation of patients scheduled for elective surgery, through the development and implementation of standardized provincial pre-operative testing, consultation and medical history and physical examination guidelines.
Choosing Wisely Canada has produced evidence-based recommendations regarding pre-operative tests for low-risk surgical procedures. For example, the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society recommends that physicians do not order baseline laboratory studies (complete blood count, coagulation testing, or serum biochemistry) for asymptomatic patients undergoing low-risk non-cardiac surgery.
Draft provincial standard guidelines for pre-operative testing required for patients undergoing elective surgeries have been developed, based on the Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations. The guidelines will be tested in North Battleford and Lloydminster in Spring/Summer 2018. The Provincial Appropriateness of Care Program team will work with the Saskatchewan Health Authority to develop a subsequent implementation plan for replicating it in other locations.
Who is involved?
The clinical development team of clinical experts in anesthesia, surgery, and internal medicine, family medicine, pre-operative nurses from North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon as well as patient advisors leads this work, with support from the provincial Appropriateness of Care Program team including two physician leads, an administrative lead and staff from the Ministry of Health and the Health Quality Council.
Local pre-assessment clinics, anesthesiologists and internists will be involved in testing and replicating the provincial pre-operative testing guidelines, with support from quality improvement consultants and data analysts from the Saskatchewan Health Authority.