Objective:

To evaluate competence related alterations, in patients between 18 and 65 years old, scheduled to surgery in the Hospital Clínico UC-Christus. Alteration of cognitive skills associated to patients competence were observed in the preoperatory service, and in the surgical theatre. The underlying hypothesis was than the skills related to decision making fluctuates in the previous moments to a surgical intervention.

Material and methods:

Observational study. A total of 85 patients were evaluated, 44 in the preoperatory room and 41 in the surgical theatre, using the Montreal Cognitive Asessment Tool (MoCA).

Results:

There were no differences between evaluations in the preoperatory room and the surgical theatre (P=.19). Neither were differences between the percentage of patients who achieved less than 26 points (the cutoff of the test) in both evaluated places (30 vs. 26%, P=.61).

Discussion:

Other associated variables, such as age and educational level, could be related to competence related alterations in patients. The patient evaluation moment does not influences the results of the MoCA test.

Conclusions:

It is not possible to conclude than there are no differences in the patients ability to consent, evaluated by the MoCA tool, in the moments prior to a surgical intervention.

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