5 steps to implementing an enhanced recovery pathway

August 29, 2019

Bruce S. Kahn, MD, FACOG

Dr Kahn is Director, Scripps Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, and practices Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Scripps Clinic Medical Group, San Diego, California.

As value in healthcare becomes an increasing priority for healthcare systems, ERPs will play a vital role in improving the care provided to patients.

As value in healthcare becomes an increasing priority for healthcare systems, ERPs will play a vital role in improving the care provided to patients. These five steps can help ob/gyns develop a pathway and incorporate it into surgical practice.

For more information on ERP: Enhanced recovery in gynecologic surgery

Securing support from hospital leadership for program implementation, employee education, and continuous program auditing. Anticipate a timeline of 1 to 2 years for successful implementation.

Identify individual leaders from surgical specialties, anesthesia and nursing administration to work as a multidisciplinary implementation team.

Develop streamlined perioperative order sets that allow surgeons ease in transitioning patients from the preoperative to postoperative period.

Provide standardized educational material for patients. Make distribution of preoperative wipes & fluids easy for patients (i.e., distribution at the preoperative clinic visit).

Develop an action plan for auditing compliance, measuring successful outcomes (i.e., LOS), and implementing program initiatives.

5 steps to implementing an enhanced recovery pathway

Amy N. Brown, MD

Bruce S. Kahn, MD, FACOG