Computerization of a Preanesthetic Evaluation and User satisfaction evaluation

Preanesthetic evaluation purpose is to reduce morbidity and mortality through the review of the patient's medical history, clinical examination, and targeted clinical studies, providing referrals for medical consultations when appropriated. Changes in patient care, standards of health information management and patterns of perioperative care, have resulted in a re-conceptualization of this process where the documentation of patient medical information, the efforts in training and maintaining the integrity of the medical-legal evaluation are areas of concern. The aim of this paper is to describe the design, development, training, and implementation of a computerized preanesthetic evaluation form associated to the evaluation of the user satisfaction with the system. Since the system went live in September 2008 there were 15121 closed structured forms, 60% for ambulatory procedures and 40 % for procedures that required hospital admission. 82% of total closed structured forms had recorded a risk of the procedures of 1-2, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification. The survey indicates a positive general satisfaction of the users with the system.