Perioperative care

Abstract

The perioperative care of the patient is critically important to successful surgical outcomes. The clinical nurse and physician extender can be essential in the comprehensive care of the patient, complementing the surgeon's role. Their roles are multifaceted and integral to the patient's perioperative experience. The clinical nurse and physician extender must be knowledgeable of all aspects of hip arthroscopy including anatomy and physical examination of the hip, appropriate diagnostic testing, the surgical procedure and its indications, expected outcomes, possible complications, and the postoperative rehabilitation process. The physician extender can provide physical examination and diagnostic information to the surgeon that is helpful in guiding the patient through the perioperative process. This chapter details all of these issues in addition to the latest in office-based technology including the use of ultrasonography for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention.