An overview of the principles of preoperative care.

There has been an increase in the number of patients requiring surgery who also have complex medical needs. Factors such as being overweight, the presence of significant comorbidities and an ageing population increase the risks associated with surgical procedures for these individuals. As a result, nurses involved in assessing patients and providing preoperative care require knowledge and understanding of the latest evidence in this area to optimise patient care and outcomes following surgery. This article suggests that optimal outcomes can be achieved by preparing patients for surgery in a holistic manner. It also discusses the role of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes.