This descriptive research study replicates that of Hamilton-Smith and investigates the current practice of pre-operative fasting. It was found that, 20 years on, the management of pre-operative fasting was still largely unchanged. Despite the recognition of vast potential complications of prolonged fasting, most patients were deprived of food and fluid for considerable lengths of time before general anaesthesia--far beyond the acceptable maximum fasting time of 12 hours. However, a small number of experienced nurses challenged the tradition and successfully reduced pre-operative fasting near to the accepted minimum and thereby provided adequate nutrition for patients.
这项描述性研究重复了汉密尔顿 - 史密斯的研究，并调查了术前禁食的当前做法。结果发现，20年后，术前禁食的管理在很大程度上仍然没有改变。尽管人们认识到长时间禁食存在大量潜在并发症，但大多数患者在全身麻醉前被长时间剥夺食物和液体——远远超过可接受的最长禁食时间12小时。然而，少数经验丰富的护士对这一传统提出了挑战，并成功地将术前禁食时间缩短至接近公认的最小值，从而为患者提供了充足的营养。
