Pre-operative fasting

This descriptive research study replicates that of Hamilton-Smith and investigates the current practice of pre-operative fasting. It was found that, 20 years on, the management of pre-operative fasting was still largely unchanged. Despite the recognition of vast potential complications of prolonged fasting, most patients were deprived of food and fluid for considerable lengths of time before general anaesthesia--far beyond the acceptable maximum fasting time of 12 hours. However, a small number of experienced nurses challenged the tradition and successfully reduced pre-operative fasting near to the accepted minimum and thereby provided adequate nutrition for patients.