Book excerpt: This new edition of this classic perioperative text has addressed changing roles, needs, and evolving technologies while maintaining the fundamental focus that still remains valid—the care of the surgical patient. Th is edition of the text identifi es the knowledge and skill needs of the caregiver and strives to incorporate components of patient care from preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative practice areas. A systems approach is introduced to help organize patient care to minimize the risk for human error.