Dataset Information

Preoperative Fasting Practices Across Three Anesthesia Societies: Survey of Practitioners.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents is recognized as a complication of anesthesia. To minimize that risk, anesthesiologists advised fasting for solid foods and liquids for an often prolonged period of time. However, 30 years ago, evidence was promulgated that fasting for clear liquids was unnecessary to ensure an empty stomach. Despite a strong evidence base and the knowledge that fasting may be physiologically harmful and unpleasant for patients, the adoption of society guidelines recommending short fasting periods for clear fluids into clinical practice is uncertain.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the current practices of anesthetists with respect to fasting guidelines.

Methods

An electronic internet survey was distributed to anesthetists in Canada (CAN), Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), and Europe (EUR) during April 2014 to February 2015. The anesthetists were asked about fasting guidelines, their recommendations to patients for the consumption of clear fluids and solid foods, and the reasons and consequences if these guidelines were not followed.

Results

A total of 971 anesthetists completed the survey (CAN, n=679; ANZ, n=185; and EUR, n=107). Although 85.0% (818/962) of these participants claimed that their advice to patients followed current society guidelines, approximately 50.4% (476/945) enforced strict fasting and did not allow clear fluids after midnight. The primary reasons given were with regard to problems with a variable operating room schedule (255/476, 53.6%) and safety issues surrounding the implementation of clear fluid drinking guidelines (182/476, 38.2%).

Conclusions

Many anesthetists continue to follow outdated practices. The current interest in further liberalizing preoperative fluid intake will require more change in anesthesia culture.

SUBMITTER: Merchant RN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7709845 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Preoperative Fasting Practices Across Three Anesthesia Societies: Survey of Practitioners.

Merchant Richard Neville RN Chima Navraj N Ljungqvist Olle O Kok Juliana Nai Jia JNJ

JMIR perioperative medicine 20200128 1

<h4>Background</h4>Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents is recognized as a complication of anesthesia. To minimize that risk, anesthesiologists advised fasting for solid foods and liquids for an often prolonged period of time. However, 30 years ago, evidence was promulgated that fasting for clear liquids was unnecessary to ensure an empty stomach. Despite a strong evidence base and the knowledge that fasting may be physiologically harmful and unpleasant for patients, the adoption of society ...[more]

PMID: 33393934

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Dataset Information

Preoperative Fasting Practices Across Three Anesthesia Societies: Survey of Practitioners.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Preoperative Fasting Practices Across Three Anesthesia Societies: Survey of Practitioners.

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