Guidelines in Practice: Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery

Area of Science:

• Perioperative Medicine
• Surgical Nursing
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs represent a significant advancement in perioperative care.
• These programs focus on optimizing patient preparation and outcomes through evidence-based interventions.
• The implementation of ERAS protocols requires structured guidance for healthcare professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of the AORN "Guideline for the implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery."
• To discuss key recommendations for planning and implementing ERAS programs.
• To highlight considerations for various phases of surgical care and patient-specific needs.

Main Methods:

• The article reviews the AORN guideline for ERAS implementation.
• It synthesizes recommendations for prehabilitation, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases.
• Patient-specific considerations and implementation challenges are discussed, including a practical scenario.

Main Results:

• The guideline offers comprehensive interventions for ERAS implementation.
• It addresses planning, phased care (prehabilitation to postoperative), and patient-specific factors.
• Guidance is provided for perioperative nurses and clinicians in diverse settings.

Conclusions:

• Perioperative nurses are encouraged to thoroughly review and apply the AORN ERAS guideline.
• Effective implementation of ERAS programs can lead to improved patient outcomes.
• The guideline serves as a crucial resource for standardizing and enhancing surgical recovery care.