Implementing an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol in a Critical Access Hospital

Author

Joseph GrazaitisFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-10-2019

Document Type

DNP Project

Project Team Faculty Member

Andy Griffin

Project Team Faculty Member

Kevin Stein

Keywords

Enhanced recovery after surgery, ERAS, Critical access hospital, ERP, Enhanced Recovery Program, Opioid-free

Abstract

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols provide numerous benefits for patients undergoing colorectal surgery. The goal of the protocol is to decrease surgical complications, patient’s length of hospital stay, recovery time, and increase patient satisfaction. The purpose of this doctoral project was to create and implement an ERAS protocol for a 25-bed critical access hospital. The findings obtained from the literature review were presented to the multi-disciplinary team. The specific needs of the surgical team were identified, and the ERAS protocol was created. Lastly, the ERAS protocol was finalized and implemented in the institution. The outcome measures examined were the patient’s length of stay and opioid use. In addition, a blinded survey was provided to clinical staff to examine perceptions of the ERAS protocol. The findings seem to indicate a positive trend toward decreased length of stay and lower opioid consumption. The survey suggested that providers perceived patients had a better recovery, pain control, improved activity tolerance, and increased patient satisfaction. Limitations of this project are relative to the low numbers of procedures at this institution. However, institutional outcome measures were compared with national ERAS data. The findings showed that this institution met or exceeded the national outcome-measure data.

Recommended Citation

Grazaitis, Joseph, "Implementing an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol in a Critical Access Hospital" (2019). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 66.
https://spark.siue.edu/dnpprojects/66

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