Perception of Doctors in Surgical Specialties about Fasting Guidelines for Day Case Surgeries in a Tertiary Hospital in South-South, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Preoperative fasting is a prescribed period before a procedure, when patients are not allowed oral liquids and solids. It is an essential aspect of anaesthesia, as lack of practice is detrimental to the patient. This study was carried out to assess the perception of doctors in surgical specialties about fasting guidelines for day case surgeries. Methods: Measurements were done using an electronic, self-administered questionnaire divided into three main sections; Demography (age, sex, gender, marital status); knowledge; and practice. Data was entered into SPSS 27 and analysed. Results: The response rate to this study was 73%. Up to 90% were aware of the ASA published practice guidelines for preoperative fasting in healthy patients undergoing elective procedures, 50% described the correct practice guideline for adults and 60% for paediatric cases, but only 40% follow the guidelines for adults and 51% for paediatrics. The absence of standard hospital protocol and differing fasting instructions by surgical specialty residents and anaesthesia residents were the most common barriers for not complying with the guidelines. Conclusion: Majority of the respondents were aware of the ASA fasting guidelines and up to half could describe it correctly, but the implementation and actual practice of these guidelines was poor among respondents.