Posted 15 September 2017 - 11:40
Posted 15 September 2017 - 11:40
News
Pre-surgery drink campaign proves a success
A campaign to encourage patients to eat and drink until much closer to their operations is continuing to prove a great success.
A campaign to encourage patients to eat and drink until much closer to their operations is continuing to prove a great success.
from 12 hours to around three and a half hours. Picture: iStock
The Think Drink initiative at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is credited with reducing the fasting time ahead of surgery from 12 hours to an average of three and a half hours.
Operating department practitioners Nicola Jones and Samantha Bray gave an update to delegates at NHS Health and Care Innovation Expo in Manchester earlier this week.
Analysis
They revealed analysis of a cohort of 580 patients showed 50% were within the three and a half hour margin, while only 18% exceeded nine and a half hours.
Ms Jones and Ms Bray, who are patient safety lead for theatres and training team manager respectively, are part of the allied health professionals who form the trust’s Think Drink project team, which also includes nurses and doctors.
They also explained how they use interactive quizzes to educate other staff on which drinks can and cannot be safely given to patients before they undergo surgery.
Approved list
The approved list includes diluted squash, tea with semi-skimmed milk and still energy drinks, while alcohol, milkshakes and carbonated beverages are not permitted.
Ms Jones said: ‘We wanted all departments to be empowered to take on our basic project, then modify it for their own unique purposes.
‘Our theatre team now make a Think Drink moment part of their daily briefing and have put up boards to act as a visual aid.
‘We have got very good at communicating with each other so that if a patient’s surgery is delayed for any reason, the wards know immediately that it is OK for them to have something to eat or drink.’
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