Observed preprocedural fasting duration and interventions intended to reduce them: A reference list-based review and meta-analysis.
Stephanie Lam, Maxime P Cannesson, Antonia Osuna-Garcia et al.
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis reviewed 79 studies on preprocedural fasting durations, involving 60,112 patients, to assess observed fasting times and interventions aimed at reducing them. It found that mean fasting times for pediatric liquids were 7.1 hours and for solids 12.2 hours, while adult fasting times were 10.3 hours for liquids and 13.5 hours for solids. Most interventions were ineffective in reducing fasting durations.
Key findings
- Mean observed pediatric fasting times for liquids were 7.1 hours and for solids 12.2 hours.
- Adult preprocedural fasting times averaged 10.3 hours for liquids and 13.5 hours for solids.
- Quality assurance interventions reduced fasting times, but patient education and policy changes did not.
Why it matters
Understanding the persistent issue of prolonged preprocedural fasting is crucial for clinicians, as it highlights the need for effective strategies to align practice with established guidelines, potentially improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.