[Paraclinical examination programs in Danish hospitals prior to minor surgical procedures]

Using a questionnaire, paraclinical test programs prior to minor surgery were recorded for Danish hospitals. Sixty-one out of 66 departments of surgery completed the questionnaire. Most of the departments used a basic test program for younger subjects and an extended one for elderly subjects. The most commonly used investigations were in descending order: analysis of urine for glucose, albumin and hemoglobin, B-Hemoglobin, blood typing, P-Creatinine, and P-Potassium and Sodium. In elderly persons, ECG and a chest radiograph were used rather frequently in addition. The number of tests ranged from zero to nine (median three) for younger patients and from two to ten (median six) for elderly subjects. The estimated costs of the programs ranged from zero to 1092 Danish crowns (109 pounds) (median 185) for younger patients and from 71 to 1676 Danish crowns (167 pounds) (median 714) for elderly patients. In conclusion, the variation in the extent and estimated costs of preoperative test programs used in Danish hospitals is considerable.