title: Breaking the fast.
abstract: A nurse-led study at a London hospital has found that many surgeons do not follow national guidance on perioperative fasting times. Excessive fasting can weaken patients and delay recovery. Surgical teams may be willing to introduce shorter fasts if the benefits to patients are made clear.
authors.forename: Jackie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cosh
mesh_terms: D004327:Drinking Behavior; D005215:Fasting / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic