Summary
This literature review synthesises evidence-based peri-operative interventions for enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery (ERACS), which integrate pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative protocols alongside patient engagement. The review identifies multiple reported benefits, including reduced complications and length of stay, lower costs, and higher patient satisfaction. Implementation requires organisational culture change and multi-disciplinary team coordination to overcome identified obstacles.
Regional applicability
This review addresses cardiac surgical practice which is universal across healthcare systems; however, the paper does not identify a specific geography or healthcare system context. The applicability to United Kingdom cardiac services would depend on local protocols, resource availability, and integration with NHS perioperative pathways, but the principles are generally transferable across high-income healthcare settings.
Key measures
Post-operative complications, length of stay, healthcare costs, patient satisfaction, return to pre-operative functional status
Outcomes reported
The review assessed peri-operative interventions designed to reduce physiological and psychological stress after cardiac surgery and expedite return to pre-operative functional status. Reported benefits included decreased post-operative complications, shortened length of stay, reduced healthcare costs, and improved patient satisfaction.
Topic tags
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