How to implement an enhanced recovery programme after colorectal surgery?

Abstract

Introduction: Although the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery was introduced more than 20 years ago, its implementation in daily practice still remains difficult.

Results: This article addresses bottlenecks and barriers to the development of enhanced recovery programme (ERP). Barriers to the implementation are multifactorial and are raised by the different actors of these programmes: surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, patients. Solutions and steps that must be respected to succeed in introducing ERP in an hospital are proposed.

Conclusions: Large-scale implementation of ERP continues to face mainly lack of trust and communication. Solutions exist and are based particularly on team work and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Keywords: Surgery; colorectal; enhanced recovery; implementation.