Standard Investigations

This section outlines what tests should be ordered for the patient, based on the grading of their procedure, and individual factors uncovered during their history and examination.

Standard tests

Standard tests to be ordered for each patient are a result of a combination of the patient’s age plus the surgical grading of their procedure, as outlined below.

Note that ECGs are NOT REQUIRED as standard for cataracts, pain procedures, or vascular procedures that will be performed under local anaesthesia

Minor procedures

Intermediate procedures

Major+/Complex procedures

Tests of cardiorespiratory function

Under specific circumstances, more specialised tests of cardiopulmonary function are indicated. These are only in the case of surgery that has a Major or Major+ grading. Note that ‘significant functional limitation’ refers to METS < 4 as measured using the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI).

Specific procedures necessitating advanced tests

Below is a complete list of procedures for which testing of the cardiorespiratory system is recommended, and the specific tests that each patient should have. Results from these tests should be available from the previous 12 months for review, whether performed in The Beacon or not.

Cardiothoracic procedures

General procedures

Urology procedures

Vascular procedures