The role of wearable devices in pre-anaesthesia check-up facilitation: A scoping review

Abstract

Background:

The global population rise has increased surgeries to over 300 million annually. Operations on patients with multiple comorbidities contribute to postoperative complications affecting 15%–20% of surgical patients. Traditional pre-anaesthesia check-up (PAC) relies on snapshot assessments, potentially missing dynamic health changes. This review explored the integration of wearable technology in preoperative assessment to enhance monitoring through continuous data collection.

Methods:

This scoping review was conducted according to PRISMA ScR guidelines. Literature search performed across PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase and Scopus. Inductive thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke, was used to synthesise findings. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.

Results:

A total of 17 full-text articles were included, and thematic analysis revealed: Benefits: Wearable devices enable continuous monitoring of physiological parameters and improve patient engagement. Challenges: Implementation barriers include data accuracy concerns and healthcare provider training needs. Future Directions: Advances in sensor technology may enhance personalised medicine. Most studies focused on limb-worn devices, showing correlations with functional tests. Risk of bias was low to moderate, with methodological rigour but limited sample sizes.

Conclusion:

Integrating wearable technology into PAC can improve surgical outcomes. Addressing implementation challenges is crucial for optimising perioperative care for surgical patients.