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Overcoming Barriers to the Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program

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Abstract

While there is support for implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery programs, many barriers exist. The most commonly cited barriers of ERPs are time and personnel restrictions, limited hospital resources, resistance from members of the perioperative team, necessity of engagement of the whole perioperative multidisciplinary team, lack of education, patients’ social and cultural values, and institutional barriers. The most commonly cited enablers are a standardized guideline based on best evidence, standardized pre- and postoperative order sets, education for the entire perioperative multidisciplinary team, patients and families, and a hospital ERP champion. The literature suggests that various implementation strategies must be used in order to increase uptake. Common strategies include identification of local champions (nursing, anesthesia, and surgery), engagement of surgical residents, development of standardized materials (order sets, care pathways, guidelines, etc), development of educational tools (posters, reminiders, slide decks), educational booklet and video, audit and feedback, and eliciting support from hospital administration.

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Key References

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Correspondence to Allan Okrainec M.D., M.H.P.E., F.R.C.S.C. .

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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Pearsall, E., Okrainec, A. (2015). Overcoming Barriers to the Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Program. In: Feldman, L., Delaney, C., Ljungqvist, O., Carli, F. (eds) The SAGES / ERAS® Society Manual of Enhanced Recovery Programs for Gastrointestinal Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20364-5_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20364-5_17

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20363-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20364-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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