Whittington Hospital Introduces 'SipTilSend' Initiative to Improve Patient Comfort and Safety

Whittington Hospital Introduces 'SipTilSend' Initiative to Improve Patient Comfort and Safety

05 Jul 2024

The hospital is introducing 'SipTilSend' (STS) initiative across the organisation, which allows patients to sip water until approximately 15 minutes before anaesthesia is administered.

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Whittington Hospital is pleased to announce the implementation of a new process aimed at enhancing the comfort and safety of patients awaiting surgery.
 
The hospital is introducing 'SipTilSend' (STS) initiative across the organisation, which allows patients to sip water up to a maximum of 170ml per hour until approximately 15 minutes before anaesthesia is administered.
 
This new process is in response to research showing that allowing patients to sip water before an operation does not increase their risk of aspiration (a condition where substances accidentally enter the airway or lungs) and significantly enhances the patient’s comfort and overall experience.
 
Traditionally, Whittington Health's fasting policy required patients to abstain from drinking water for at least two hours before receiving anaesthesia. This period of dehydration can be uncomfortable, and if surgery is delayed for any reason, the prolonged lack of hydration can lead to headaches, dry mouth, anxiety, nausea, and vomiting.

The STS initiative will apply broadly to most patients undergoing surgery, but exceptions will be communicated by the anaesthetist or surgeon to ward staff. STS has already been implemented in areas in the hospital’s maternity department and Day Treatment Centre to much success.
 
Patients permitted to STS will benefit from:
  • Improved hydration and comfort
  • Reduced incidence of headaches, dry mouth, anxiety, nausea, and vomiting
  • A potential reduction in postoperative delirium among vulnerable patients
 
Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Timothy Blackburn said, “By allowing patients to sip water up until their surgery, we’re improving their hydration and reducing discomfort associated with preoperative fasting. Small changes like this in our services can make a huge difference to how comfortable a patient feels before and after their surgery.”

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