Surgical Care and Monitoring
Perioperative medication management, venous thromboembolism prevention, antibiotic prophylaxis, pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting control
Perioperative pharmaceutical care is critical for patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes. The pharmacist's role spans preoperative medication review, intraoperative antibiotic prophylaxis timing, and postoperative pain, venous thromboembolism prevention, and nausea management. Understanding which medications to continue, which to stop, and when to restart is essential knowledge for all pharmacy professionals.
Overview
Surgical patients require careful pharmaceutical management to prevent complications and ensure optimal outcomes. The five key areas — medications, antibiotics, venous thromboembolism prevention, pain control, and nausea management — form the foundation of safe perioperative care. Each area demands close pharmacist involvement to minimise risk and optimise patient outcomes.