Prevalence of co-morbidities and referral patterns in routine preoperative evaluation: A retrospective observational analysis in a tertiary care government hospital

The initial interaction between patients and anaesthesiologists during pre-anaesthesia check-ups (PAC) is a crucial opportunity to diagnose and pre-optimize co-morbidities that might go unnoticed. This proactive approach contributes to safe anaesthesia administration, uneventful intra-operative experiences, and smooth post-operative recovery. Our study assesses the prevalence of diverse co-morbidities within a tertiary care centre's PAC.  After analysing data from 3 months involving 905 patients, 624 individuals exhibited co-morbidities, with 217 cases being newly identified within the PAC clinic. Among female patients, anaemia emerged as the most prevalent anomaly (219 cases), while hypertension dominated among male patients (171 cases). Overall, anaemia constituted the most common co-morbidity (362 cases).  A comprehensive clinical assessment during the Pre-Anaesthetic Clinic empowers formulation strategies for pre-optimization and treatment of co-morbidities. Timely intervention is pivotal, not only to prevent surgery delays but also to avert potentially catastrophic outcomes arising from untreated conditions. This approach translates into expedited patient recovery, minimizing anaesthesia-related complications.  The Pre-Anaesthetic Clinic plays a pivotal role in diagnosing and intervening in patient co-morbidities. Beyond diagnosis, it is a crucial early intervention and treatment platform, significantly enhancing the overall surgical recovery process.