Brief Overview About ENHANCED RECOVERY After Surgery (Eras) Cardiac Program

Abstract

Background: ENHANCED RECOVERY After Surgery (ERAS) is an international movement to improve patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency around surgery. These programs are composed of intervention bundles based on the principles of best practice, regular audit, standardized and consistent healthcare delivery, and team feedback, all with a patient-centered focus. Using these programs has led to better outcomes for patients and healthcare overall, with encouraging signs in cardiac surgery specifically. The recently published “Guidelines for Perioperative Care in Cardiac Surgery” by The Society for Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery (ERAS Cardiac) based on a systematic review and multidisciplinary consensus. The reported incidence of deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) ranges between 0.8% and 6.0%, and DSWI is associated with long-term antibiotic therapy, prolonged hospital stays, higher morbidity/mortality, repeated surgical procedures, increased patient suffering, and higher healthcare costs. An ERAS Cardiac program can improve compliance by using existing resources in the hospital, like staff and computer systems. This includes checking how well people are following the audit and giving them feedback on how they're doing. This way, the program can make sure that consistent application are followed for everyone.