After this session you’ll be able to:

1. Create a generic Enhanced Recovery Pathway (ERP) as a foundation for an Enhanced Recovery (ER) program.
2. Identifying the process for expansion of ER into multiple service lines.
3. Discuss the need for service line-specific pathways to ensure a sustainable ERP.

Why this is important:

Enhanced recovery (ER) is an approach to major elective surgery that integrates strategies that work synergistically to minimize perioperative stress for the patient and thus expedite recovery. The benefits of ER, particularly in terms of reduced complications and length of stay, have been well documented.

Developing a protocol for ER can be intimidating, and it is often difficult to reach consensus with care providers of differing backgrounds and service lines. Chappell and Morton will discuss the general principles of an ER protocol that are applicable to all service lines: preoperative optimization, intraoperative fluid management, opioid sparing/multimodal pain management, and postoperative optimization through early parenteral intake and mobilization. They will also examine the expansion and customization of ER protocols to create service line-specific pathways.