Glenn Murray

I would appreciate peoples thoughts around fasting patients for cardiac catheterisation. We currently allow a light breakfast. We had problems with people being fasted from midnight then having their case pushed back resulting in episodes of vasovagals and potential problems of dehydration and contrast. I suppose our problem is that most of our cases may be plus or minus PTCA, depending on coronary pathology, and case times can be thrown out resulting in patients fasting for longer than anticipated. What are some of the fasting policies out there? Would appreciate your comments.

I understand that the manufacturers of femstop recommnd that they are for single use only. Given their cost, we have been exploring the possibility of washing and re-using with a transparent dressing protecting the puncture site. Does any unit re-use femstops and if so what cleaning procedure do you use. Regards Glenn