[Perioperative Management - Tasks and Significance of Specially Trained Nursing Staff]

Modern concepts of perioperative treatment place great value on the active role of the patient. In order to make this possible, intensive patient support is necessary. The position of the ERAS nurse has developed from this necessity. She is the primary contact for the patient before, during and after the operation. The conceptual creation and continuous further development of an ERAS concept may primarily be a medical activity, but the day-to-day work on the patient and filling the concept with life is mainly done by an ERAS nurse. Her main tasks are preoperative patient education, daily patient visits during the inpatient stay, filling in the documentation, ongoing communication with nursing staff and monitoring compliance with the ERAS requirements of all team members involved. It is accordingly important to create the position of an ERAS nurse and to integrate her as a valuable member of the team. In the following article, which is based on our experience as a certified ERAS centre, the job description in detail is presented, including tasks, importance and suggested solutions for common problems.