Evaluation of a Preoperative Clinic for Women With Gynecologic Cancer

Although many patients with gynecologic cancer undergo surgery, time constraints during the preoperative consultation may affect the accuracy of the information exchange, as well as compromise the quality of the patient assessment and care plan. Both put patients at a higher risk for complications during surgery and the postoperative period. This article describes an advanced practice RN–led preoperative assessment and education clinic designed to improve the quality of preoperative preparation and postoperative outcomes of patients with gynecologic cancer.

At a Glance

• Among patients with gynecologic cancer, surgery is the major treatment modality.
• The success of surgery depends on many factors, and a failure to identify those risks may negatively affect surgical outcomes and hospital length of stay.
• A preoperative assessment and education clinic led by advanced practice RNs has been shown to improve preoperative preparation and postoperative outcomes in patients with gynecologic cancer.