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SURGEON RESOURCES

A vital link in the success of bringing a patient safely and efficiently to the OR is communication between the surgeon's office, Anesthesia and Preop Services.  Standardization of this process is a key element in helping us acheive this goal.  Please view the information below and feel free to contact us at any time with questions or comments.

• Guide to Scheduling a PAT (Pre-Admit Test or Preop Evaluation)
• Understanding the Flow of Paperwork in Preop Services
• Definition of a Complete Surgery Chart
• Communication with Preop Regarding Chart Readiness
• The Anesthesia / Surgical Preparation Checklist
• Confirmation and Receipt of Paperwork
• Preop Forms
• Advanced Directives for Patients

A Guide to the Scheduling a PAT (Pre-Admit Test or Preop Evaluation)

A PAT, commonly referred to as a "preop evaluation", needs to be scheduled for every patient who is receiving anesthesia.  Typically set up as a telephone call to the patient, this 1/2 hour appointment is to be scheduled at the time the surgery is booked.  It is required that this evaluation be done within 30 days prior to the patient's surgery. If you have any questions feel free to contact us.

Understanding the Flow of Patient Paperwork in Preop

On an average, the Preop Department collates approximately 75 surgical patient charts each day.  Collecting the paperwork that goes into these charts can be a challenge.  Since Preop acts as a "funnel" for patient documents to the OR, the optimal method for obtaining this paperwork is to have a standardized process that's dependable and predictable.  We request that all paperwork completed by the primary care physician as well as any testing done outside Fletcher Allen be sent to the surgeon's office for review and collation.  This complete packet of paperwork can then be sent to the Preop Department for Anesthesia review and the creation and finalization of the surgery chart.

Definition of a Complete Surgery Chart

There are often questions as to what constitutes a complete packet of paperwork. Please open the link below to view the document which explains the definition of a complete surgery chart. 

Definition of a Complete Surgery Chart

Communication with Preop Regarding Chart Readiness

It is preferred that communication with Preop Services regarding patient documentation take place via email.  Email provides us with reliable documentation of any communications.  The following email address should be used for communications regarding chart readiness:

preopchartreview@vtmednet.org

The Anesthesia / Surgical Preparation Checklist

The Preop Documentation Checklist is a tool that was developed to assist both the surgeon's office and Preop in coordinating patients' paperwork for surgery.  This form is to be used as a cover sheet when sending the complete packet of information either by fax or courier.  Please view the form and contact us if you have any questions.

FAHC Surgical Preparation Checklist (50K)

Confirmation and Receipt of Patient Paperwork

Preop has developed a system to help verify and confirm all paperwork that is received.  Upon receipt of any patient documents to Preop (whether via fax or hand-delivery), a designated Preop staff member collates the paperwork and logs it into an electronic file.  This file allows us to verify receipt of paperwork at a later date if needed.  On a daily basis, an email confirmation will be sent  to any surgeon's office from which paperwork was received the prior business day.  This system will allow both the surgeon's offce and the Preop Department to feel confident that the transaction of patient documentation was successful.  This confirmation will be sent ot any designated contacts within your office.  It is the individual clinic's responsibility to keep your electronic contact information current.  FAHC clinics have the ability to update this information themselves.  Private surgeon clinics will need to contact us to update. 
Please contact us for any questions regarding this process.

Preop Forms

Below are the blank version of commonly used Preop forms.  You may open these files and print them for use.

Surgical Consent  (39K)
History and Physical  (38K)
Anesthesia Consent (43K)
Anti-Infective Order (36K)

Advanced Directives for Patients

Vermont Ethics Network
89 Main Street
Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT 05620
Phone: 802-828-2909

Vermont Ethics Network publishes the "Taking Steps" booklet which provides information on Advance Directives such as a Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.   Advanced Directives are used to guide a patient's medical care when they cannot speak for themselves.  Vermont standard form for DPOA and Living Will along with worksheets to assist with decision making are included.  If you or your patient would like assistance on how to complete the Advance Directive document(s), please call Patient and Family Advocacy at 802-847-3553.