Perioperative fasting

This page provides details of the resources and publications available for this clinical guideline.

Guideline review

This 2005 version of the clinical guideline for perioperative fasting will be updated in line with the update of Cochrane systematic reviews on preoperative fasting for adults to prevent perioperative complications and preoperative fasting for children to prevent perioperative complications which are currently in process. It is anticipated that these will be published during 2012.

Perioperative fasting online resource

The Royal College of Nursing has produced an online resource on Perioperative fasting to support the implementation of this guideline. It brings together what we know from the evidence on this topic and guidance on how to put this knowledge into practice. Go to Perioperative fasting

Perioperative fasting in adults and children (full guideline)

This guideline seeks to address and resolve inconsistencies in preoperative fasting policies and to provide guidance in the postoperative field. The guideline covers; preoperative fasting in healthy adults, healthy paediatric patients and higher-risk groups, and postoperative fasting in healthy adults and healthy paediatric patients (426 pages)

Perioperative fasting in adults and children (shorter guideline)

This guideline addresses the inconsistencies in preoperative fasting policies and provides guidance in the postoperative field. (This guideline is endorsed by five other professional organisations) (18 pages)

Perioperative fasting in adults and children (Quick reference poster)

Quick reference poster for perioperative fasting in adults and children (1 page)