Evidence-based patient safety advisory: patient assessment and prevention of pulmonary side effects in surgery. Part 2. Patient and procedural risk factors.

Several factors may increase a patient's risk for perioperative pulmonary complications. This practice advisory provides an overview of the preoperative steps that should be performed to ensure appropriate patient selection and patient safety with regard to pulmonary complications. Procedural and patient-related risk factors are discussed, as are recommendations for perioperative management and strategies for minimizing complications.