The OU Health Anesthesiology Department operates a referral directed, appointment based, clinic known as the “Perioperative Assessment Unit” or PAU. The mission of the unit is to optimize a patient prior to their surgical/procedural experience so they can achieve the highest quality outcomes.
This is achieved by interacting with our dedicated team of professionals to review each patient’s history and establish a data base that is as complete as possible. From the RNs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistant, and Attending Physician, all are there to review each patients’ comorbidities and current medical status. Often, there are Medical Records that must be obtained from outside providers and facilities.Those records may include “clearance” from Cardiologist, Pulmonologist or another medical subspecialist as necessary. Our staff is dedicated to obtaining the appropriate studies to assure each patients’ preparedness for their operation or procedure. This may include lab studies, EKG, or imaging. The better we can get to know you and your history, the better you can be prepared for your procedure.
The Perioperative Assessment Unit also serves as the initiation point for multiple lines of Enhanced recover after surgery or “ERAS” protocols. This “perioperative surgical home” aspect of the clinics function has been shown to improve outcomes and continues to be the subject of broad research.