Sip Til Send, a new approach to preoperative drinking for patients in the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT) has enhanced patient comfort, according to Allison Burke, Trauma Coordinator, MRHT.  

“The new guidance aims to make patients more comfortable before their procedures, but also provides benefits afterwards too. We know from patient feedback that having to go for prolonged periods of time without being able to drink is uncomfortable and causes dehydration.”

Under the new guidance, all adult patients who require sedation or an anaesthetic will be allowed to sip a small glass of water (up to 170ml) each hour before their procedure - unless stated otherwise by their clinician. Children are also included under this new approach with water volume allowed determined by their weight. 

Patients can continue to sip clear fluids until they are sent to theatre. This avoids prolonged periods of fasting, and keeps patients hydrated before theatre. Staying hydrated helps patients feel better, and it also reduces headaches, nausea and anxiety.

Allison notes how “previously, for safety reasons, patients were allowed to drink water up until 2 hours before procedures. Some patients were at times being fasted for much longer while waiting to go to theatre, causing an unpleasant experience. Patients are now saying that they feel more comfortable.

“I spoke with a patient who underwent a procedure in the weeks previous to the Sip Til Send introduction in the hospital and who then underwent another separate procedure after its introduction. They reported feeling a lot more comfortable after the second. They said their mouth was less dry, and they felt less hungry than their previous fasting experience. Psychologically Sip Til Send made them feel more comfortable. They said it was as if they weren’t actually fasting at all.”

According to Dr Mohan, Consultant Anaesthetist, MRHT, “this emerging practice has been shown to be simple and safe with improved patient satisfaction. Many patients are commenting that they feel better post-procedure because of it.”

Dr Maha, Consultant Anaesthetist, MRHT, added that “dehydration is proven to be bad for the patient and, clinically, dehydration is bad for the Anaesthetist. We encourage patients to sip water as directed by their clinical team to keep both patient and Anaesthetist happy.”

Orla Morris, Trauma Coordinator, MRHT, concludes that “since its introduction in September 2024 over 1600 orthopaedic patients have sipped til send. We have already received so much positive feedback. It is fantastic to see the difference this has made in a short space of time. Sip Til Send will hopefully in the coming weeks be rolled out to Surgical and ENT patients requiring surgery, not just orthopaedic patients.”