A new initiative has been launched across the District at Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals (BMDH) and Westmead Hospital.
‘Sip Til Send’ no longer requires adult patients to fluid fast for hours before surgery.
After starting in the United Kingdom a few years ago, the initiative has been rolled out throughout Western Sydney Local Health District as part of improving patient care.
It’s a collaborative approach including a multidisciplinary team of anaesthetists, surgeons, physicians, nurses, dieticians, administrative staff, and patients.
BMDH Project Co-lead and Anaesthetist, Dr Puneet Ranote explained that the program allows adult surgical patients to sip up to 200ml of clear fluids per hour until they’re called to theatre with fasting instructions for solid foods remaining the same (a minimum of six hours).
“We are moving away from the traditional clear fluid fasting of at least two hours before operations because there is a lot of evidence from around the world showing us that in the majority of patients it doesn’t need to be that long and is still safe,” Puneet said.
Patients who sip clear fluids before surgery can be better hydrated, comfortable, and less anxious. It can help maintain stable blood pressure and blood sugar levels, enhancing patient recovery.
Dr Puneet Ranote
BMDH Perioperative Geriatrician and ‘Sip Til Send’ Co-lead, Dr Rajni Lal added that patients can now keep hydrated before surgery, which enhances their comfort and improves their overall experience.
“Acceptable fluids are water, apple juice, and black tea or coffee without milk. Some patients may not be suitable for ‘Sip Til Send’ unfortunately due to medical or surgical reasons and will be identified by staff and notified in advance,” Rajni said.
BMDH Acting Anaesthetics Head of Department and co-lead across BMDH and Westmead, Dr Alan Bullingham said our multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and dietitians have worked hard to develop this initiative.
“We’ve rolled out education sessions for all disciplines of staff, collected patient feedback, and collaborated with other NSW and SA hospitals,” Alan said.
Staff are encouraged to become champions of ‘Sip Til Send,’ educating and guiding colleagues and patients about its benefits, reflecting the District’s commitment to innovative patient care and improving outcomes and experiences for the western Sydney community.
