Introduction of Enhanced Recovery After Cesarean Section (ERAC) Protocol

Author

Kwame Adu-AffumFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-6-2022

Document Type

DNP Project

Project Team Faculty Member

Dr. Leah M. Baecht

Project Team Faculty Member

Dr. Rebecca Collier

Keywords

cesarean section, ERAC, ERAS, spinal-induced hypotension, non-opioid OB analgesia

Abstract

Cesarean section is one of the most performed in-patient surgeries worldwide (Wilson et al., 2018; Liu et al., 2020). Births by cesarean section have been increasing globally. Cesarean birth rate has remained above 31% in the United States, even with the consistent two percent decrease in birth rate per year (Martin et al., 2019). Illinois has also maintained a high cesarean birth rate above 30% (Hamilton et al., 2021). Cesarean patients experience inflammatory and neurohormonal changes with many adverse effects in direct response to surgical stress (Mullman et al., 2020). The post-cesarean physiological effects, including pain, reduced gastric motility, pulmonary complications, delayed ambulation, prolonged hospitalization, delayed mother-baby bonding, and fatigue, directly impact maternal health, and indirectly affect the neonates (Gramlich et al., 2017). Improved anesthesia care can mitigate against the physiological stressors of cesarean surgery to promote rapid surgical recovery, improved safety, and patient satisfaction. The Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology adopted ERAC in 2019 to provide standardized, evidence-based, multidisciplinary care to cesarean patients (SOAP, 2019). The objectives of ERAC can be achieved by adopting, implementing, and complying with the developed ERAC protocol by healthcare providers, specifically anesthesia providers, in the community hospital.

Recommended Citation

Adu-Affum, Kwame, "Introduction of Enhanced Recovery After Cesarean Section (ERAC) Protocol" (2022). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 204.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/204

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