10 Questions to Ask Before Surgery

Preparing for surgery can be overwhelming. Patients often have specific questions about whether surgery will fully resolve their condition or how long it may take to recover, among others.

Older adults may experience additional challenges following surgery such as increased confusion (often described as delirium) or a lack of a support network to assist them once they return home. It’s important for patients and their caregivers to clearly communicate with their healthcare providers about their feelings, goals of care and any concerns they may have before surgery.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has created several Quality Programs to improve the surgical care patients receive, including reducing complications following surgery. The Geriatric Surgery Verification Program (GSV) was specifically created to help hospitals address the unique needs of older adults.

“GSV focuses on ensuring that the care we're providing to our older adult surgical patients aligns with their values, goals and priorities. We talk to them about what matters and align it with their care plan. Then we determine how best to partner on that plan to provide the best care,” said Lisa Kodadek, Assistant Professor of Surgery (General, Trauma & Surgical Critical Care) at Yale School of Medicine. The ACS created this Patient Checklist to encourage open communication with your surgical care team to help you receive the highest quality of care. Please print and bring it with you to your appointment. Here are 10 important questions for you to ask before a procedure:

1. What is the operation being recommended and why is it needed?
2. What are my alternatives to this procedure, and are there other treatment choices available based on my current medical condition?
3. If I am too sick or unable to speak for myself, how can I make sure you know my wishes?
4. What should I expect if everything goes well? Will surgery help me live longer? If so, how much longer?
5. What are the risks and possible problems of having the operation – and what will happen if I do not have the operation?
6. What is the surgeon’s experience in doing this procedure on people my age?
7. What can I expect during recovery?
8. What things do you assess before surgery, like cognition (thinking) or nutrition? Can you please explain how each of these assessments impact my care?
   • Cognition (thinking)
   • Delirium (confusion) risk
   • Functional status (independence)
   • Mobility (walking or moving)
   • Nutrition
   • Swallowing
   • Need for Palliative Care Assessment
9. Do you have established processes/protocols/policies to prevent confusion after surgery? If so, what steps are involved?
10. Is your hospital verified by the American College of Surgeons Geriatric Surgery Verification (GSV) Program?

The ACS is proud to set the standards of care for older adults undergoing surgery and has patient resources to help you find ACS-verified hospitals. You can also find surgeons who have the distinction of being Fellows of the ACS.

Click here to learn more about ACS

^{*The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for all surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has approximately 90,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.}