MEdical Clearance

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 This checkup is usually held around 1 month before the date your surgery is scheduled. This provides your doctor and surgeon with plenty of time to address any medical issues prior to surgery. The pre-op exam includes a basic physical exam, as well as discussing your health history and current health 

 An EKG is often requested before major surgery to ensure your heart is healthy enough to endure the surgery itself. It assesses the likelihood of experiencing a heart-related complication during surgery. A normal EKG result will allow your surgeon to rule out any heart troubles before surgery 

 A preoperative clearance (also known as pre-surgical screening) involves a service that is presumably above and beyond the pre-anesthesia assessment—the latter being bundled into the anesthesia service and thus not separately payable. 

 The aim of this checklist is to reinforce accepted safety practices and foster better communication and teamwork between clinical disciplines. The checklist is intended as a tool for use by clinicians interested in improving the safety of their operations and reducing unnecessary surgical deaths and complications. 

 Do not eat or drink anything for at least eight hours before your scheduled surgery. Do not chew gum or use any tobacco products. Leave jewelry and other valuables at home. Take out removable teeth prior to transfer to the operating room and do not wear glasses or contact lenses in the OR. 

 History – documentation of the past medical history, a review of current symptoms, a list of medications, allergies, past surgical history and family history. Physical exam – height, weight, vital signs, and documentation of any abnormal findings on exam of the entire body. 

 The purpose of a medical clearance is to identify specific health needs and medical conditions that may require specialty management, follow-up or monitoring. Additionally, the scope and frequency of the required follow-up must be determined.

 General practitioners should refer hypertensive patients for elective surgery after the blood pressure readings are less than 160 mmHg systolic and less than 100 mmHg diastolic. 

1. 1) Get a good night's sleep. Try to get eight hours the night before your exam so your blood pressure is as low as possible.
2. 2) Avoid salty or fatty foods. ...
3. 3) Avoid exercise. ...
4. 4) Don't drink coffee or any caffeinated products. ...
5. 5) Fast. ...
6. 6) Drink water. ...
7. 7) Know your meds.

 There are six possible statuses of your Medical Clearance, defined as follows: Cleared: You have passed the medical clearance process and do not need to take any further action.