A path to permanently short fasting times in paediatric anaesthesia – a quality safety study

In 2018, we shortened the fasting time in our clinic for clear fluid to 1 h. Since 2021 ‘drinking until call to the operating theatre’ applies. This quality assurance study investigates whether this regulation has further shortened the fasting times and which factors influence its implementation. In this prospective observational study, a two-part anonymous questionnaire from the attending anaesthetist and the parents was completed. A total of 204 children were included in the study. The fasting time for clear fluid (median [IQR] (min-max)) was 2 [1–4.6] (0.33–22) hours and was shorter than 3 [2–7.8] (0.5–17) hours in the pre-transition period. More than 50% of the children had access to clear fluid directly at the bedside or freely available on the ward. The children’s drinking behaviour showed that 54% of the children drank on their own and only 4% of the children complained of thirst. When comparing the wards there were differences with regard to the fasting time for clear fluid. There were no differences in the fasting times depending on the operating theatre position. The length of time between the informed consent consultation and anaesthesia or language barriers had a negative influence on adherence to the fasting rules. Two years after the introduction of the ‘sip til sendʼ rule there was a significant reduction in fasting times. Fasting times did not differ between operating theatre position.