What is a “Current” Work-up?
When does a work-up or laboratory testing become “outdated?” There is, of course, no absolute answer in the strict medical sense. In a way, it becomes outdated the day after the preoperative visit. However, JC & CMS requires a H&P within 30 days of the procedure. For testing, see our current recommendations: “Basic testing Issues”, “Suggested Preoperative Tests”, and “Specific Disease Testing.” The other question is: “when is another comprehensive H&P necessary?” Rather than give a fixed time limit to this, it makes more sense to say that patients need an evaluation directed toward the involved organ systems in a time frame commensurate with the severity and stability of the disease. For some patients with complex medical problems (especially cardiovascular ones), this may mean a week or less. For some patients who are perfectly healthy, this means up to 30 days. An “Update” note is required by CMS and JC for any H&P that is more than 24 hoursold. However, every patient needs to be bri
