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Pre-operative fasting.
1Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin. nocallaghan@mater.ie
Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
|June 12, 2002
Summary
Nurses often keep surgical patients fasting longer than medically necessary, indicating a gap between research and practice. This adherence to ritualistic practices highlights a need for improved nursing education and administrative support for evidence-based care.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Practice
- Surgical Care
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Preoperative fasting protocols are critical for patient safety.
- Current nursing practices regarding preoperative fasting require investigation.
- Understanding adherence to evidence-based guidelines is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine current nursing practices related to preoperative fasting.
- To identify discrepancies between recommended fasting times and actual patient care.
- To explore factors influencing adherence to research findings in surgical nursing.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive research design was employed.
- A structured interview schedule was administered to a random sample of 20 nurses.
- Data collection focused on nursing actions during preoperative fasting periods.
Main Results:
- Patients were found to fast for extended durations beyond recommended guidelines.
- Communication regarding operating list changes was adequate.
- Half of the nurses did not provide food or drink during surgical delays.
Conclusions:
- Preoperative fasting practices are often ritualistic, with limited application of research findings.
- Resistance to change presents a significant barrier to implementing evidence-based protocols.
- Findings have implications for nursing practice, education, and healthcare administration.