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The challenges of implementing Enhanced Recovery Programme in urology
Author(s) -
Koo Vincent,
Brace Helen,
Shahzad Ali,
Lynn Naing
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
international journal of urological nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.184
H-Index - 8
eISSN - 1749-771X
pISSN - 1749-7701
DOI - 10.1111/ijun.12006
Subject(s) - medicine , cystectomy , fast track , nursing , health care , patient care , surgery , bladder cancer , cancer , economics , economic growth
Enhanced Recovery Programme ( ERP ) or fast‐track programme involves the application of evidence‐based best practice into surgery to optimize patient recovery post‐operatively. Results have been very promising especially in complex surgical procedures, where patient length of hospital stay had been significantly reduced and there has not been a significant increase in patient complication or readmission rate. These favourable outcomes are potentially cost‐effective for the health care team and hospital trust especially in the present economic climate. Within our department, we have recently implemented ERP in all patients undergoing radical cystectomy procedure since September 2009. In this paper, we discuss the elements of ERP , share our experiences and challenges in the implementation of ERP at different stages from prior‐ to post‐surgery. We concluded that the key for successful implementation of ERP is the active collaboration involving the whole health care team including the nurses, nurse specialists, doctors, surgeons and anaesthetist, to ensure every team member is accountable and contribute to the implementation process. From the nursing perspective, there is a significant role to be played especially in the pre‐ and post‐operative care of patients.