Introducing an ERAS programme across a provincial healthcare system.

Introducing an ERAS programme across a provincial healthcare system.

Nelson G, Kiyang LN, Crumley ET, Chuck A, Nguyen T, Faris P, Wasylak T, Basualdo-Hammond C, McKay S, Ljungqvist O, Gramlich LM. Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Across a ProvincialHealthcare System: The ERAS Alberta Colorectal Surgery Experience. World J Surg. 2016 May;40(5):1092-103.

What is already known:

Most ERAS studies have been single centre and this is one of the first to describe how ERAS for colorectal surgery was implemented into a wider healthcare system in Alberta, Canada.

What this paper adds:

This study reports detailed results from six of Alberta’s 59 hospitals (but perform >70% of all colorectal surgery). After the ERAS programme was introduced compliance improved from 39% to 60%. They demonstrated an overall decrease in length of stay (6 to 5 days), readmissions, complications and some impressive cost savings (between $2806 and $5898 USD).

Chris Jones, Guildford.