TDNet Discover

People require surgery daily for a variety of reasons-from the removal of a cancerous mass to having a broken bone repaired after a car accident. It is estimated that in America, 15 million people receive surgery each year. Considering the volume of surgery performed, more research has been published to identify ways to minimize surgical complications while improving how the patient recovers after surgery. This research found that perioperative standards of the past, such as strict bed rest, hindered the patient's recovery. In 2000, the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) project was formed to streamline research and form a standardization of care for patients through their surgical experience to optimize outcomes. Due to the constant evolution of medicine, ERAS is not a fixed protocol. Instead, it is a collection of guidelines that stem from evidence-based research. Depending on the procedure, ERAS recommendations total approximately 25 interventions throughout the perioperative period. As facilities adopted the ERAS system, many noted decreased compliance, negatively affecting patient outcomes. The purpose of this literature review is to determine what methods increase ERAS compliance and if implementing the compliance program improves ERAS adherence within the perioperative period.