An evaluation of a pre-operative anaesthetic assessment questionnaire.

A total of 400 patients was invited to complete a pre-operative anaesthetic assessment questionnaire. On analysis 74.3% had undergone a previous general anaesthetic, 60.8% had taken some form of medication in the preceding 6 months, and 53.8% gave a significant medical history. The questionnaire is designed to focus attention on those patients at risk, to allow more efficient use of the time available for the pre-operative visit, and to provide a permanent record of the patient's medical history relevant to anaesthesia.