Obstacles to Compliance and Implementation of ERAS Protocol From Nursing Perspective: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Surgical Care
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach to optimize surgical patient recovery.
• Nurses are integral to the successful implementation of ERAS protocols, managing various aspects of patient care.
• Understanding nurses' experiences and challenges is vital for refining ERAS implementation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and describe the lived experiences of nurses implementing ERAS protocols.
• To identify the specific obstacles encountered by nurses during ERAS protocol application.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research design utilizing phenomenology.
• Criterion purposeful sampling to recruit 12 nurses actively involved in ERAS.
• Data collection through introductory and semi-structured interviews, analyzed using the seven-step Colaizzi method.

Main Results:

• Three main themes emerged: importance, obstacles, and compliance/applicability of ERAS protocols.
• Key obstacles identified include lack of knowledge, leader confusion, resistance to change, and poor team cooperation.
• Subthemes highlight the protocol's role in reducing complications, accelerating healing, and increasing patient satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• Nurses encounter significant barriers to ERAS implementation, including insufficient information and inadequate team collaboration.
• Addressing identified obstacles such as resistance to change and leadership issues is essential for effective ERAS protocol integration.
• Identifying and resolving these challenges will facilitate the development of targeted solutions to enhance ERAS program success.