PROPCON, A Pocket PC Based Program for Pre‐Operative Risk Assessment

Background:

Hospitalists perform pre‐operative risk assessment daily. With 30 million non‐cardiac surgeries performed annually, implications for morbidity, mortality, length of stay and cost are enormous. We propose a pocket PC program (PROPCON) to help Hospitalists achieve this goal.

Method:

We modified Relative Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) by adding critical aortic stenosis, uncontrolled hypertension, carotid stenosis, and abnormal cardiac rhythm as additional risk factors. A grid was made based on modified RCRI and type of surgery. Grid predicts the cardiac event rate. Grid was then converted in a visual basics program (VB.NET) PROPCON, and compiled on PDA.

Summary of Results:

In the first window, Hospitalist identifies the patient's risk factors. PROPCON assigns the modified RCRI. Second window asks for the type of surgery being performed. Checking this prompts the third window showing the cardiac event rate, need for beta blocker use, and sany need for a cardiology consult.

Statement of Conclusions:

PROPCON helps Hospitalist risk assessment. Stratify patients undergoing non‐cardiac surgery.

Author Disclosure Block:

S. Syed, Cogent Healthcare Employment (full or part‐time); J. Kalarickal, Cogent Employment (full or part‐time); C. Woodruff, Cogent Employment (full or part‐time); S. Isom, Cogent Employment (full or part‐time); R. Gargantiel, Cogent Employment (full or part‐time).