Enhanced Surgical Recovery Nursing Program: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Optimize Postoperative Patient Recovery.

Background: Enhanced recovery is currently considered to be the treatment of various elective major surgeries. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) includes applying various perioperative measures, strategies, and active participation of patients in the recovery process.

Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in the surgical units of a hospital in Karnataka, India. Data were collected from patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery (n = 142). Psychological (anxiety) and physiological outcomes (vital capacity, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure) were assessed in experimental and treatment-as-usual groups on preoperative day 1 (2 days before surgery) and preoperative day 2 (1 day before surgery).

Results: The results showed a significant decrease in the state-anxiety scores in the experimental group than in the treatment-as-usual group (p < 0.05). Physiological outcomes such as pain, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure showed a significant decrease in the experimental group than the treatment-as-usual group (p < 0.05). Vital capacity was significantly increased in the experimental group and decreased in the treatment-as-usual group in the postoperative days (p < 0.05). A significant decrease in the length of postoperative stay was seen in the experimental group than in the treatment-as-usual group (p = 0.001). In the experimental group, there were less postoperative complications than in the treatment-as-usual group.

Conclusion: Enhanced recovery is considered to be the treatment for various elective major surgeries. It is an essential responsibility of healthcare professionals to improve postoperative outcomes by reducing complications and length of postoperative hospital stay.

How to cite this article: Barboza HR, Dsilva F, Lobo AS, Moosabba MS, Gurmitkal B. Enhanced Surgical Recovery Nursing Program: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Optimize Postoperative Patient Recovery. Indian J Crit Care Med 2025;29(1):21-26.