Effect of Sociodemographic, Systems Factors on NPO Noncompliance

Background: Same-day cancelations of elective pediatric procedures create strain for families and health systems alike. Among the preventable causes, failure to adhere to nil per os (NPO) instructions remains prominent. Prior work, largely limited to single institutions, has suggested that sociodemographic characteristics may influence fasting compliance. The analysis sought to clarify how demographic and system-level factors intersect with NPO noncompliance and subsequent cancelations. Objective: To identify demographic groups with higher-than-expected rates of NPO noncompliance according to local institutional guidelines, and to determine which demographic and system-related factors were associated with cancelation, rather than delay, after a noncompliance event. Design: Retrospective, multicenter case-control study. Methods: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and Quality and Safety Committee Collaborative of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia conducted the study across 1 more...