Sip Til Send project team celebrates one year of enhanced patient experiences across UHDB
A simple change to how our patients stay hydrated before surgery has helped to transform patient experiences across our hospitals by improving comfort, safety, and clinical outcomes. The project, Sip Til Send, allows patients undergoing a procedure under anaesthetic or sedation to sip up to 170ml of water every hour before they are seen - and has recently celebrated its first year in place at UHDB.
Historically, the Trust has followed 'Nil by mouth' guidance, which allowed patients to drink water up until two hours before their procedure was planned to start for safety reasons - but those leading the Sip Til Send project recognised that some patients were commonly not able to drink water for much longer, due to unpredictable timings of going into theatre.
Listening to, and learning from the views and experiences of our patients is a key commitment we make in our Patient Experience, Engagement and Insight Strategy 2024 - 2029 > and is crucial to understanding how we can best deliver exceptional care to our communities. Since its implementation on 20 November 2023, Sip Til Send has focused on patient comfort and wellbeing by addressing hydration, a basic human need - and thanks to supporting over 50,000 patients to stay hydrated before an operation, has received extensive positive feedback.
Sip Til Send was initially adopted at NHS Tayside in Scotland, and following successful implementation, dozens of NHS trusts across the UK have now adopted the guidance, in addition to healthcare organisations in Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
As a result of the implementation of Sip Til Send at UHDB, we have not only seen improved patient experiences, but also clinical outcomes.
This includes our maternity services, where mothers have reported feeling better during labour, and finding breastfeeding more comfortable. For women being treated within endoscopy, where pregnancy tests are required before a procedure, better hydration has made testing quicker and easier.
In surgical settings, it has meant patients avoid fasting for longer than necessary when the timing of procedures change, reducing discomfort and potential frustration with the treatment journey.
At UHDB, the implementation of Sip Til Send was spearheaded by Project Manager Sully Hussain, in collaboration with Dr. Paul Marval, a Consultant Anaesthetist and Clinical Lead. One year after being put in place, Dr. Marval hailed the "incredible" impact on our patients by allowing just one small glass of water hourly up until an operation.
He continued: "Make no mistake, staying hydrated makes a huge difference, whether it's making cannulation easier because veins are easier to access, or helping to recover more quickly after a procedure, because hydrated patients metabolise medications more effectively.
"On top of all of this, it helps alleviate the anxiety and discomfort many patients feel awaiting a procedure, and strengthens the rapport between a patient and clinical staff.
"It has also been particularly beneficial during hotter weather in the summer months, when dehydration risks are higher - helping patients to recover faster and avoid complications."
Sully reflected on this time last year, when helping to implement the project, saying that he immediately saw the potential to "revolutionise" patient experience:
"Fasting before surgery can be physically and emotionally taxing, and the idea of such a small yet impactful patient-centred change resonated deeply with me.
"Paul and I worked tirelessly alongside several outstanding UHDB colleagues to introduce the initiative, and safely bring about the benefits to our patients, as soon as we could. We have over 80 colleagues supporting the project across the organisation through the Sip Til Send Champion role, further embedding the initiative at every corner of UHDB. We were all truly inspired to implement Sip Til Send, and I am so proud of the collective hard work from so many in the UHDB family to make it happen."
Many patients have echoed Sully and Dr. Marval's comments in their feedback to the T trust - expressing overwhelming support for Sip Til Send as a crucial part of ensuring they felt as comfortable as they could, at what is often a challenging and anxiety-provoking time awaiting surgery or procedures.
Jane*, who underwent surgery earlier this year, shared her thoughts on the project, saying that she had "nothing but praise" for the initiative: "It's amazing how something so simple can improve the whole experience. I felt less anxious, more comfortable, and all from just taking sips of water. Not only did I feel better within myself before the procedure, but afterwards, it felt like my body bounced back much quicker."
Reflecting on the project and the feedback it has achieved after its first year in place, Sully said that we are seeing "far happier, more comfortable patients across the board" thanks to the initiative.
He continued: "It’s about more than just clinical outcomes - it’s about ensuring our patients feel cared for and supported throughout their time with us.
"Sip Til Send wasn’t something we were asked to do. It came from our genuine desire to improve the experience of our patients undergoing surgery or procedures. Seeing the success it has had has inspired us to look for other opportunities to innovate, and streamline treatment pathways by empowering, and listening to our patients."