Perioperative Anesthesia Clinic

The Perioperative Anesthesia Clinic is a clinic that helps care for patients before and after their surgery.  The clinic serves patients receiving surgery at Nova Scotia Health hospitals in the Halifax Area and Hants County.

The clinic plays an important role in helping patients receive the education, testing (i.e. blood tests, x-rays) and other supports they need to help them get the best possible results from their surgery.

Patients are asked to complete a health history questionnaire, even if they don’t yet know if they will need surgery.

Patients can print the form and bring it to their appointment with their surgeons or they can save the form on their computer and email it to their surgeon.

How do I get an appointment?

As your surgeon works with you to decide if you will need surgery, they may ask you to complete a health history questionnaire. How you respond will help clinic staff determine if you need an in person appointment, a virtual appointment or a phone call leading up to your scheduled surgery. Your answers will also help them decide what other tests or services you may need.

Completing my Health History Questionnaire

Your surgeon’s office may have asked you to fill out the health history questionnaire below.

• Preoperative Health History Questionnaire (.pdf)

It is important that you complete this form, even if you are not yet sure if you will be having surgery.

This information will help your health care team work with you to better plan for your care.

Your answers will help us decide if you need other tests or services before your surgery.

This might include having bloodwork or x-rays or taking part in the Perioperative Anesthesia clinic.

How to complete the form:

• The first step is to click on the form below and save it to your computer.
  • Preoperative Health History Questionnaire (.pdf)
• It may be helpful to ask a friend or loved one to help you.
• This is a fillable form. This means it will allow you to type in your answers or to click to select answers.
• Please complete this questionnaire the best that you can.
• If you are not sure of any answer, check "not sure". You can add details in the "Comments" box.
• You can also print off the form, complete it and bring to your appointment with your surgeon.

Sharing the form with your health care team:

• When you are done filling out the form please be sure to save your changes.
• If your surgeon’s office provided an email address you can send the saved form to the email address provided.
• You can also print off the form, complete it and bring to your appointment with your surgeon.
• Note: By using email to send this form you are noting that you understand that email is not guaranteed to be 100% secure as Nova Scotia Health has no control over external email providers and you agree to this risk.

How do I prepare?

Please bring all medications you are taking including any over the counter medications to your clinic appointment. You may also bring a family member, or friend with you to your appointment.

What will happen the day of my surgery?

Your health care team will provide you with instructions and let you know what to expect. What happens the day of surgery can vary between locations and based on the surgery you are having.

Most patients can expect the following:

• You will be told where to register when you come for surgery.
• You will need to show your Nova Scotia Health Card and to confirm your insurance information.
• You will be asked to leave all your valuables at home or leave these with whoever may be accompanying you.
• If you are having day surgery, you may need to have someone available to drive you home after the surgery. Staff will ask who is driving you and how they can be reached.
• From the registration area you will be directed to the surgery department to prepare for your surgery.
• You will be asked to change into hospital clothing and slippers.
• A nurse will ask you some questions, including when you last ate and drank.
• A nurse may also take your weight and height and check other things such as your temperature or blood sugar levels.
• After your procedure you will be moved to recovery room.