An Integrative Review of Postoperative Accelerated Recovery Protocols

Abstract

We undertook an integrative literature review of articles pertaining to perioperative nursing care provided to patients using postoperative accelerated recovery protocols. To select the articles, we searched the MEDLINE, PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and LiteraturaLatino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde databases. We identified 329 studies, 13 of which met our inclusion criteria and described perioperative nursing care activities. Nursing activities noted in these articles were hypothermia prevention and maintenance of normothermia, restriction of IV fluids, assessment of vital signs, management of symptoms and pain, support of early ambulation, care for tubes and drains, oral administration of carbohydrate-rich foods, assessment of ability to tolerate diet, and encouragement to resume activities of daily living. There was a lack of research on this topic by nursing professionals; additional research by nursing professionals is needed regarding nurses' roles in providing this care.

Nursing Interventions in the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery®: Scoping Review

“…Article A8 presents a synthesis of different published papers, which highlights nurses' role in these enhanced recovery protocols. It presents results according to two moments: preoperative and intraoperative (characterized by clients' training and rigorous evaluation); and postoperative period (with a wide range of interventions that directly affect clients' recovery) (18) . In general, roles developed by nurses in the surgical process are again highlighted to achieve satisfactory levels of compliance with these protocols.…”

Acute postoperative pain management

“…Quality performance indicators measure a myriad of outcomes that extend beyond simply evaluating survival, with a burgeoning understanding of the impact that poorly managed acute pain has on health resource use. Pain management is part of the complete perioperative care package and is a core component of enhanced recovery programmes. In the UK, data regarding postoperative pain are routinely collected and analysed, for example the National Audit Project reported complications related to neuraxial blocks, and the PQIP reports pain scores in postanaesthetic recovery.…”

Construction and application of enhanced recovery after surgery‐optimized management system with nurse‐led multidisciplinary cooperation

“…Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) refers to the optimal management measures proved effective by using a series of evidence‐based medical methods during the perioperative period to promote the rehabilitation of patients, reducing psychological and physiological traumatic stress response, complications, hospital stay, the risk of re‐admission and death, along with medical costs (Oliveira et al, 2017 ). ERAS raised by the Danish Professor Henrik Kehlet in 1997.…”