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The implementation of and compliance with existing preoperative recommendations in respect of fasting from food and drink remain a challenge both for patients and health care professionals. Despite longstanding knowledge of new and more appropriate recommendations in respect of taking oral diet and fluids preoperatively, several studies indicate that patients still abstain from taking food and drink for too long prior to surgery. This is unfortunate, since excessive periods without oral diet and fluids have numerous negative consequences for patients. A questionnaire-based study was performed on patients undergoing elective day surgery. The result was that 55 per cent, equivalent to 17 from 31 patients, had chosen not to drink for longer than the recommended two hours. Some patients ?thought that the longer they fasted the better." Some patients stuck with familiar fasting routines, e.g. "nil by mouth from midnight", whilst others woke too late on the day of surgery to be able to take oral fluids. At the same time, almost all patients stated that they had been informed both verbally and in writing of the recommendations in respect of diet and fluids. In order to ensure that patients follow the advice of health care professionals, the recommendations should instead by changed to rules for good fasting practice: rules that both patients and staff should comply with when planning and implementing the operative programme.

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