The pre-operative assessment is a set of medical examinations performed before any scheduled surgery. It aims to evaluate the patient's health status, identify anaesthetic risks and prevent per- and post-operative complications. SOS Nursing performs pre-operative blood draws and ECG at home in Marrakech, sparing the patient a trip to the laboratory and a visit to often crowded emergency departments. Samples are transported to an accredited partner laboratory.
The standard panel includes a complete blood count (CBC) to detect anaemia or white blood cell abnormalities, a coagulation panel (PT, aPTT) to assess bleeding risk, ABO-…
Standard pre-operative blood tests
The standard panel includes a complete blood count (CBC) to detect anaemia or white blood cell abnormalities, a coagulation panel (PT, aPTT) to assess bleeding risk, ABO-Rh blood typing with antibody screening, fasting blood glucose, creatinine for renal function and transaminases for liver function. The anaesthetist may add specific tests based on the patient's medical history.
Pre-operative ECG: screening for cardiac abnormalities
An electrocardiogram is routine for patients over 40, those with hypertension, diabetes or cardiac conditions, and for any major surgery. The nurse performs a 12-lead ECG at home, verifies tracing quality and transmits it to the anaesthetist. Any abnormality requires a cardiology consultation before scheduling the procedure.
Chest X-ray and additional tests
A pre-operative chest X-ray is prescribed for smokers, COPD patients, thoracic or upper abdominal surgery, and patients over 60. It cannot be performed at home and requires a visit to a radiology department. The nurse coordinates the care pathway so the patient needs only one trip. Other tests (echocardiography, pulmonary function tests) are prescribed as needed.
Collection conditions and sample transport
The pre-operative blood draw is performed with strict fasting of at least 8 hours. The nurse verifies prescriptions, prepares the appropriate tubes for each test (EDTA, citrate, plain, fluoride), performs the venipuncture under aseptic conditions, labels samples and transports them immediately to the partner laboratory in compliance with the cold chain. Results are delivered within 24 to 48 hours.
Practical organisation and timelines
The pre-operative assessment must be completed within 30 days before surgery for most tests, and within 72 hours for blood typing in some facilities. SOS Nursing schedules the home visit based on the surgical timeline to ensure results are available for the anaesthesia consultation. Tests are reimbursable by the AMO on medical prescription.
