Pre-Operative Clearance Specialist

What is a preoperative clearance?

When you undergo an operation, your body is placed under considerable strain – not just during the surgery, but also during the recovery period, when your body uses vast resources to heal and recover. While many people are healthy enough to withstand the stresses of surgery and recovery, certain medical conditions can make surgery and recovery especially risky. A pre-operative clearance uses tests and evaluations to assess a patient's overall health to determine his or her ability to withstand surgery and the subsequent recovery period, reducing the chances of postoperative illness or decline.

What is involved in a pre-operative pulmonary clearance?

The clearance procedure involves different risk assessments depending on your personal medical risks and health status. In addition to a comprehensive physical exam, assessments may include:

• pulmonary function testing

• arterial blood gas analysis

• exercise stress testing

• chest x-rays

• CT or MRI scans

What conditions or risk factors indicate the need for pre-operative testing and clearance?

Preoperative clearance is recommended for any pulmonary patient, but especially for people with the following risk factors:

• COPD

• asthma

• obesity

• older age

• obstructive sleep apnea

• heart failure

• overall health issues

• pulmonary hypertension

• smoking habit

Do I need to have a clearance even if the surgery isn't for my lungs?

Yes. It makes no difference what part of your body is being treated with surgery – the risks to your body and your lungs are still present following any type of surgery. In fact, studies have shown lung complications following surgery can contribute significantly to illness following surgery, as well as prolonged hospital stays and even death. Having a pre-operative assessment helps you substantially reduce your risks for any of these events.