Question

A medical assistant is reviewing the chart of a patient who is scheduled for an appointment later that day, which tasks should the assistant complete prior to the patient's appointment?

Answer 1

A medical assistant should verify the patient's details, surgical information, and confirm team introductions have been made pre-appointment. Pre-surgical checks such as antibiotic administration, imaging results, and surgical counts should be reviewed, along with recovery and care concerns post-procedure.

Step-by-step explanation:

A medical assistant preparing for a patient's scheduled appointment should complete several important pre-appointment tasks. These include confirming the patient's identity, surgical site, and procedure. The assistant should review the chart to ensure that the surgical team has been introduced by name and role, and that critical events such as anticipated operative duration, anticipated blood loss, anesthesia concerns, and equipment sterility have been addressed. It's also crucial to ensure prophylactic antibiotics have been administered if indicated, essential imaging results are on display, and all pre-surgical counts (needles, sponges, instruments) are complete and correct.

Prior to the induction of anesthesia, the medical assistant should assist in oral confirmations among team members to include the nurse and an anesthesia professional. Assessing and confirming any concerns for recovery and care of the patient post-procedure is also a key responsibility. By diligently preparing and reviewing all necessary information, the assistant helps ensure patient safety and supports the efficiency of the surgical team.