Value and cost effectiveness of preoperative routine medical testing before cataract surgery

Routine medical tests does not have any benefits on postoperative complications and treatment of patients with low risk surgery like cataract. Anesthesiologist management of preoprative unnecessary routine tests , can be effective in reducing patient anxiety and costs and also reducing the possibility of postponement of operation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of routine preoperative tests in the treatment process and hospital costs of cataract surgery as a low-risk surgery.
One hundred and fifty patients, aged 50-85 years with ASA class I-III that scheduled for elective cataract surgery were enrolled to this descriptive study. Results of history and physical examination as well as tests were recorded on special forms in operating room. Any changes in the treatment process and also the operating and recovery room complications were recorded.
In total,70.2% of tests were unnecessary and 6% added to the patient’s hospital costs. 14.6% of patients had abnormal tests with 0.7% changes in the treatment process. None of the patients had any complications during the surgery and recovery course.
Conclution: Unnecessary investigations and tests are common before cataract surgery but had no significant effect on treatment process. This confirms the importance of the anesthesiologist's preoperative visit.