Page 13 - Registrar Orientation Manual 2016

Procedure
Adult Fasting / Nil by mouth Pre-anaesthesia Oral Medications:
 Patients taking regular oral medication – including those being fasted preoperatively – should receive all their prescribed medication prior to their operation taking place.
 The ONLY exceptions are;
o Medication that has been cancelled by a doctor in which case the doctor must
cancel the prescribed medication clearly, sign and date the prescription chart.
o Oral hypoglycaemic agents, which should not be given to patients who are fasting.
o When it is in the best interests of the patient, pending consultation with a doctor, to withhold prescribed medication
 Failure to adhere to this procedure may mean that a patient’s operation will not proceed as planned.
Chewing Gum:
 Patients should not have their operation cancelled or delayed due to chewing gum, sucking a boiled sweet or smoking immediately prior to induction.
 Smoking immediately prior to surgery increases the risk of cardiorespiratory complications but does not impact on their fasting status.
Patients with delayed gastric emptying:
 Patients with obesity, GORD, diabetes and pregnant patients who are not in labour can follow the above guidelines.
Preoperative carbohydrate drinks:
 It is safe for patients, including diabetics, to drink commercially available carbohydrate rich drinks up to 2 hours before elective surgery
 Evidence particularly relates to specific perioperative products, predominantly containing maltodextrins.
2.2 Potential Complications:
Failure to adhere to this procedure may mean that a patient’s operation will not proceed as planned.
Doc ID:
2756
Version:
01
Issue Date:
Aug 2015
Review
Aug 2018
Document Owner:
Consultant Anaesthetist
Department:
Anaesthesia
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