Principles of practice

Patient-centred care

Patients and carers should be made aware of the guideline and its recommendations, referring to the information for patients and carers. View the guideline: Perioperative fasting in adults and children (PDF 2.43MB) [see how to access PDF files].
Patients and carers should understand decisions made about the management of perioperative fasting, and have the opportunity to ask questions.
Patients and carers should be informed about any potential risks and/or complications associated with perioperative fasting.

All members of the interdisciplinary team should be aware of the guideline and all care should be documented in patients’ health care records.
The approach to care should be an interdisciplinary one involving all appropriate people in the management of perioperative fasting.

There should be an integrated approach to the management of perioperative fasting, with a clear strategy and policy supported by management.
Care should be delivered in a context of continuous quality improvement, where improvements to care following guideline implementation are the subject of regular feedback and audit.
Commitment to, and availability of, education and training are needed to ensure that all staff, regardless of profession, are given the opportunity to update their knowledge and are able to implement the guideline recommendations. The health care team should have undergone appropriate training and have demonstrated competence in perioperative care.
Staffing levels and skill mix should reflect the needs of patients, and are paramount to providing high quality services for people who are being fasted before and after operations.