Exploration of day-case patients decisions about preoperative fasting
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What factors influence adults attending for elective day-case surgery when they make decisions about preoperative fasting?
IRAS ID
227111
Contact name
Philip Esterhuizen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
What factors influence adults attending for elective day-case surgery when they make decisions about preoperative fasting?
Background:
One complication of a general anaesthetic is that stomach contents may be regurgitated and enter the lungs. This is prevented by fasting (not eating or drinking) before the operation. However, excessive fasting can cause headache, nausea and vomiting. Fasting for the right amount of time prevents unnecessary risk and improves comfort.
Day-case operations are increasingly common, and patients take responsibility for fasting appropriately. A small number of procedures are postponed or delayed as patients have not fasted adequately. A larger number of patients have fasted excessively, which impacts their recovery.
Why this research is needed:
Patients need clear information to make informed decisions about fasting. Previous studies have used questionnaires and interviews to investigate fasting times and assess the knowledge of patients and staff. There is a lack of in-depth research investigating factors which influence how day-case patients decide when to stop eating and drinking. This project aims to address this gap in knowledge.
How this project will be carried out:
This project will recruit independently-living adults attending the day-case unit at a Dental Hospital for treatment under general anaesthetic. Participants will be asked to take part in a telephone interview lasting up to 30 minutes. The interview will explore aspects of their decision to fast. It will ask about the information they received or would have liked, and its’ format.
Interviews will be analysed to find common factors and the relationships between them. The results will be used to improve the information provided to patients. The aim is to improve the safety and comfort of patients. The study will last 12 months.
The MSc Clinical Research Methods programme is supported by funding from HEE and NIHR.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EM/0252
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion