At Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC), an exceptional team is working hard to bring ERAS to our community.
At Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC), an exceptional team is working hard to bring ERAS to our community. These healthcare providers – physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, rehabilitation specialists and more – have embraced ERAS because it’s based on the best available science. And, most importantly, it gets great results. Data from a number of large studies show ERAS programs:
- Reduce complications by 50%.
- Shorten hospital stays by 30 to 50%.
- Improve patient satisfaction.
The ERAS Experience from the Patient’s Perspective
ERAS begins as patients are contemplating surgery and continues through recovery. ERAS protocols – developed by the non-profit ERAS Society – provide a surgery-specific roadmap for every phase of a patient’s surgical journey. Here are a few ways that patients experience ERAS:
Before surgery – Clinicians help patients prepare physically and mentally for surgery using ERAS strategies that improve nutrition, physical fitness and more. They also share information about the patient’s specific operation and discuss concerns the patient may have.
During surgery – The surgeon and anesthesiologist work together to reduce the physical stress of the operation on the patient. Fluid management is a good example of ERAS protocols at work in the operating room. Typically, patients receive fluids during surgery to manage their blood pressure. The problem is that too much fluid can lead to excessive water weight, which can delay recovery. ERAS protocols call for careful fluid management for speedier healing.
After surgery – ERAS protocols encourage patients to eat and walk sooner following an operation. Research shows that the quicker food is re-introduced, the less need there is for intravenous medications and fluids. Additionally, walking reduces muscle loss, improves respiratory function, and lowers the risk for pneumonia.
As a physician, I’m enthusiastic about ERAS and its potential to promote healing following surgery. It’s an example of how advances in medicine can come in many different forms. QCBN
By Anthony Torres, M.D., FACP
Anthony Torres, M.D., FACP, is president and CEO of Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center.
