Perioperative includes the time before, during and after surgery. Our services start with your preop consultations days or weeks before your procedure. We continue care for you through your surgery preparation. Our internal medicine consultation and anesthesiology pain management teams will also assist with your care as needed after surgery.

Our team of perioperative specialists include internal medicine and anesthesiology physicians and advanced practice providers working with your surgical team to provide the best medical care before and after surgery.

Preoperative Clinic

The Preoperative Clinic at Froedtert Hospital provides preoperative consultations for patients undergoing surgery within the Froedtert & MCW health network.

Most surgical patients are referred to the Preoperative Clinic for evaluation within the month prior to planned surgery. Patients are thoroughly evaluated to ensure their health is optimized prior to surgery. The Preoperative Clinic provider works with the patient and the surgeon to develop an evidence-based pre- and post-surgery plan of care tailored to the individual.

Being evaluated by our perioperative specialists has been shown to:

  • Reduce day of surgery delay
  • Reduce day of surgery cancellations
  • Reduce hospital length of stay
  • Reduce mortality
  • Reduce post-operative complications
  • Reduce patient anxiety prior to surgery
  • Facilitate communication among patients, specialists and surgeons

Your evaluation starts by meeting with a registered nurse to discuss pre-surgery education and to review medications and allergies. You may also meet with a pharmacist for a detailed medication review. You will then meet with a physician or advanced practice provider trained in perioperative medicine for an in-depth history and physical that will address any current and chronic health conditions. Virtual visits may be accommodated if appropriate.

During this visit, we will also coordinate with other specialists and order any additional tests that you need. The clinic is staffed with phlebotomists and EKG technicians for patient convenience. Radiology and heart testing is also located nearby.

Preparing for Your Preoperative Clinic Visit

To help your visit go as smoothly as possible, you'll want to gather the following information.

  • A current medication list including over the counter medications and supplements
  • A list of allergies
  • A list of prior surgeries and past medical history (if you are new to the Froedtert & MCW health network).
  • The notes, results, or name of the hospital or specialist for any recent heart or lung testing or specialist evaluation outside of the Froedtert & MCW health network system

Before Your Surgery

Based on your Preoperative Clinic visit and any test results, we will assess and optimize your current and chronic conditions prior to your surgery. We work with your primary care physician, specialists, surgeons and anesthesiologists to develop a plan of care for you during and after surgery.

Medicine Consult Service

Our Medicine Consult Service provides medical co-management for patients admitted to the hospital after surgery. This service is for complex surgical patients with acute and chronic health conditions.

The consult service works closely with surgical teams, including orthopedics, trauma, general surgery, plastic surgery and vascular surgery. This collaborative partnership has been shown to prevent and reduce postoperative complications, reduce length of stay and reduce mortality by using the latest in evidenced-based medicine.