Consensus calls for measuring and auditing preoperative fasting times

An international multidisciplinary consensus piece states that preoperative liquid fasting durations remain excessively long worldwide, calling this an under-recognised source of avoidable perioperative harm. The authors state that meaningful improvement requires institutional implementation of more liberal clear liquid protocols, routine measurement and audit of actual fasting durations against society recommendations, and quality improvement initiatives, arguing that failure to implement such strategies is an active decision rather than a passive omission.

Most relevant for: Patients undergoing elective surgery who require preoperative fasting, and institutions managing perioperative fasting protocols.

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Informational only. Not medical advice. Not a substitute for clinical judgment. Always consult current guidelines and your own clinical judgment.