Pilot of Outpatient Preoperative Evaluation Through Teleassistance

Abstract

The pilot project of pre-anesthetic evaluation through telemedicine at the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital (HUPE) of the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) is a commendable initiative that aims to address the challenges faced by patients in accessing preoperative care. The objective of this study was to reduce the waiting time between the surgical recommendation and its clinical clearance for the procedure. A service flow was established to enable patients to undergo a comprehensive evaluation, including examination and complementary tests, during a single visit with a general practitioner. Based on the type of surgery and the patient's comorbidities, the Teleconsultants Center assessed the case and provided the necessary guidance. A total of 20 patients were attended to in face-to-face sessions during morning shifts, with the participation of Internal Medicine and Anesthesiology. Subsequently, these patients' evaluations were scheduled for teleconsultation to assess their surgical risk. There has been a significant reduction in the time between the surgical recommendation and the clearance for the procedure with a notable improvement compared to the previous protocol. These initial outcomes demonstrate the project's potential to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the preoperative evaluation process through teleassistance.

Keywords: Preoperative evaluation; Teleassistance.