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Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)

As part of our commitment to improve the quality of services we provide to patients, while at the same time securing clinical and financial sustainability, we are introducing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programmes for patients undergoing specific elective operations.

Enhanced recovery was initially pioneered for colorectal surgery in Denmark, by Professor Henrik Kehlet, and the principles have since spread across the world.

Enhanced recovery principles include:

optimising the patient's health / medical condition pre-operatively
assessing risk and fitness for surgery at pre-operative assessment
reducing starvation by using carbohydrate loading drinks up to two hours before surgery
minimally invasive surgery where possible
a clear and structured approach to post-operative management, including pain relief
early mobilisation and early nutrition.

The benefits of this programme are:

improved patient experience
improved patient satisfaction
reduced length of hospital stay
reduced postoperative complications
reduced readmissions to critical care
reduced readmissions after discharge.

The success of this programme depends on the engagement of all professionals involved. GPs can assist by helping to ensure that the patient is in the best possible condition for surgery.

For more information please see the enhanced recovery surgical pathway 2012.