ABSTRACT
GENERAL GOALS ■ To identify unrecognized comorbid disease and risk factors
for medical complications of surgery ■ To optimize preoperative medical condition ■ To foresee, prevent, and treat potential complications
PRINCIPLES OF CONSULTATION ■ Restrict advice to the internist’s unique areas of expertise, e.g.,
advise on perioperative insulin management but leave anesthetic technique to the anesthesiologist.
