Practical suggestions
Solid food, milk and milk-containing drinks
All patients should stop taking solid food, and milk-containing drinks six hours before the scheduled start of the operating list.
Water and clear fluids
A two stage procedure:
- Stage one - group: all patients should stop water/clear fluids two hours before the scheduled start of the operating theatre list.
- Stage two - individual: when the time of the patient's operation is known, the anaesthetist should decide the time of last intake of water/clear fluids (usually two hours before the operation).
- Easily seen dry-wipe boards could be provided, indicating the time of last fluid intake.