See also
Diabetes Mellitus and surgery
Key points
- The goal of these guidelines is to minimise the
fasting times for clear fluids to 1 hour
- Only the anaesthetist may adjust these
guidelines
- If a patient appears likely to fast for much
longer than these times, please contact the anaesthetist (see below)
- Children at higher risk of hypoglycaemia
(Diabetes mellitus; specific metabolic disorders) will have special
requirements and the anaesthetist of the day should be consulted
Background
Clear fluids are those which when held to light,
are transparent. They include glucose based drinks, cordials, clear juices, and
RCH supplied icy poles. They do not include particulate or milk based products,
jelly, or thickened fluids
Management
Children less than 6 months of age
-
Plan for the last breast feed to finish no later than 3 Hours before anaesthesia
- Plan for a formula feed to finish no later
than 4 Hours before anaesthesia
Children greater than 6 months of age
- Do not give milk drinks, food, lollies or chewing gum for
6 Hours before anaesthesia
- Offer clear fluids up to 1 Hour before anaesthesia
Oral Medication
- Continue regular oral medications unless otherwise
requested by the anaesthetist
- Medications can be taken with a sip of clear fluid
- Medications cannot be given with thickened fluids
Elective surgery and anaesthesia
- For patients with a specific (staggered) admission time, the fasting orders above should be applied to that admission time
- Morning Operation (list starts at 0830): Fast from 0230 for food or milk and continue clear fluids until 0730
- Afternoon
Operation (list starts at
1330): Fast from 0730 for food or milk and continue clear fluids until 1230
- Cardiac Surgery (list starts at 0800): Fast from 0200 for food or milk, and continue clear fluids until 0700
Emergency surgery and anesthesia
The fasting plan should be discussed at booking. Whilst awaiting
surgery, the fasting plan should be reviewed at intervals with the duty
anaesthetist to minimise dehydration
Contacting the anaesthetist
For elective cases, the anaesthetist for
the list should be contacted
first for all queries regarding fasting. Please use the paging
system.
For emergency cases or when unable to contact the elective list
anaesthetist, or after hours, you can call the anaesthetist in charge on
52000
Last updated December 2021