Preoperative starvation in elective general surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Study preoperative fasting times of adult elective surgical patients.


METHODS
Fasting times for food and clear fluids, and the information used by patients to decide when to start fasting were studied.


RESULTS
Among 200 patients, median fasting times were 2-4 times the guideline recommendations. Most patients used hospital written instructions but many started fasting substantially earlier than the instructions stipulated.


CONCLUSIONS
Improved communication with patients could improve fasting times.
Khoyratty
Saleem
S
FY2, Whittington Hospital, London.
Modi
Bhavik N
BN
Ravichandran
Duraisamy
D
D000328:Adult; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005215:Fasting; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013217:Starvation; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom