Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Elective Colorectal Surgery

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol (ERAS) is an evidence-based multimodal care pathway that has been implemented at VGH’s T8 & 9 units. They began their journey in February 2013 and went live with the full protocol in November 2013. The goal of the project is to decrease morbidity for general surgery patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery by 50% by June 2014.

The difference

Since it has been implemented, patients are more aware of what to expect during their surgical experience, the length of stay in the Post Anesthetic Care Unit (PACU) has decreased, complications in PACU have decreased, patients have experienced fewer complications on the inpatient unit and there has been a downward trend in patient’s length of stay.

What does it mean to be recognized?

“It makes us feel proud to know that we have had the opportunity to showcase our team’s quality improvement work with our Provincial colleagues.  Both Tracey and I feel recognized daily when we meet with each patient going through the protocol and we see how we have made a difference to their experience and outcomes.” – Andrea Bisaillon, Operations Director Surgical Services 

The team 

Andrea Bisaillon, Operations Director Surgical Services; Tracey Hong, Quality and Patient Safety Coordinator.

Perioperative Teams – Surgeon’s offices, Preadmission Clinic, Peri-operative Care Centre, OR, PACU, T8/9

ERAS Steering Committee – Dr’s Panton; Warnock, Buczkowski and Mayson; Mary Cameron-Lane;  Jacqueline Per;  Tara Smith; Sharon Lam and Rita Mah.

Learn more

Learn more about the award on the Learn more about the award on the BCPSQC website.