Surgical Clearances

Before any surgical procedure, you need to have a surgical clearance appointment to detect possible issues that could present problems during the anesthesia or surgery itself. At Quality Health Source, dedicated nurse practitioner Dr. Johnson, performs surgical clearances in the Mableton, Georgia, office. Schedule your surgical clearance by calling the office or clicking the online booking feature today.

What is a surgical clearance exam?

A surgical clearance exam is one you have before a scheduled surgery. Most surgeries, especially major surgeries in which you’ll undergo general anesthesia, require a surgical clearance exam before proceeding. 

Why do I need a surgical clearance exam?

You need a surgical clearance exam to make sure you’re healthy enough to undergo surgery. The exam can identify any conditions or issues that might cause problems during anesthesia and surgery. If Dr. Johnson detects any issues, she can help you to resolve the problem and reduce your risks so you can have the procedure. 

Another critical purpose of surgical clearance is learning more about what to expect from the anesthesia, surgery, and recovery processes. This additional information can help you feel more confident about your upcoming surgery. 

How does surgical clearance work?

Surgical clearance exams are similar to your yearly physicals. They include:

Medical history review

The medical history review covers your full medical history, paying particular attention to your history as it relates to the condition you’re currently planning surgery for. 

Medication review

During the medication review, Dr. Johnson reviews all your current and recent medications to check for interactions and reactions. If you’re taking any medications that could potentially cause excessive bleeding or other issues during surgery, Dr. Johnson gives you directions for safely reducing or temporarily discontinuing those drugs before surgery. 

Physical exam

During the physical exam, Dr. Johnson checks your vital signs, heart, lungs, and other important health factors. Most people have blood tests like a complete blood count, a chest X-ray, and an electrocardiogram (EKG) as part of their surgical clearance exam. 

Your surgical clearance exam can vary based on what kind of tests your surgeon requests, your age, risk factors, and the specific type of surgery scheduled. So, you may also need other tests, such as imaging exams like CT scans or MRI scans. 

What are the advantages of surgical clearance exams?

Surgical clearance exams are one of the most effective ways to recognize and modify controllable risks before surgery. This can ultimately increase the safety of your procedure and help you feel better prepared. Surgical clearance exams also allow your surgeon to proceed confidently, knowing that you’re as healthy as you can be in preparation for the surgery. 

Schedule your surgical clearance by calling Quality Health Source or clicking on the online booking feature today.