'Think Drink' approach to minimize unnecessary preoperative fasting: 18 years audit experience

Fasting guidelines have long recommended that patients can have clear fluids until 2 h prior to surgery. Multiple audits in our institution showed that patients had prolonged fluid fasting duration, despite being given preoperative instructions. This paper presents the results of audits in our institution relating to fasting since 2004 and the outcome of interventions undertaken.

Audits conducted in 2004, 2008, 2018, 2021, and 2022 were reviewed, with a focus on fasting duration for clear fluids. Interventions that led to significant improvements were identified.

The median fasting duration for clear fluids was 8 h, 8 h 42 min, and 7 h 42 min in 2004, 2008, and January 2018, respectively. The approach of giving patients a 'welcome drink' of water and allowing sips of water up to the time of being called upon to the theater was introduced in 2018 (Think Drink). This resulted in dramatic reduction of fasting duration to 2 h 15 min. However, repeat audit in 2021 showed slippage requiring additional interventions in the form of staff education for newcomers and reinforcement at staff huddles that reduced the fasting duration down to 2 h. There were no instances of aspiration or regurgitation after the introduction of Think Drink.

Allowing sips of water until being called to the theater with a Think Drink approach successfully reduced unnecessary fasting by patients. Staff and patient education were also required to sustain success. Fasting duration should be considered a 'Quality of Service Indicator' and periodic audit should be mandated.