Time to Readiness for Discharge is a Valid and Reliable Measure of Short‐Term Recovery After Colorectal Surgery

Abstract

The results of this research support the construct-validity and reliability of TRD as a measure of short-term recovery. Using TRD as an alternative to LOS may reduce sample size requirements in future RCTs.

What outcomes are important in the assessment of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways?

“…An alternative measure of intermediate recovery may be obtained by assessing the time to achieve specific discharge criteria (''time to readiness for discharge''). 46 The main advantage of this measure is that only factors related to physiological recovery are taken into account without the influence of organizational and personal factors that affect length of stay. Research in colorectal surgery supported the validity and reliability of this measure when readiness for discharge was defined using consensus-based discharge criteria.…”

“…Research in colorectal surgery supported the validity and reliability of this measure when readiness for discharge was defined using consensus-based discharge criteria. 46,47 A way forward: recommendations for outcomes measurement in ERAS research A core set of outcomes for ERAS programs should reflect the different perspectives of stakeholders (patient, surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurse, etc.) and the stage of recovery (inhospital or post-hospital).…”

Hospital Recovery and Full Recovery

“…The main advantage of this measure is that multiple factors related to in-hospital recovery are taken into account (e.g., pain, mobility, gastrointestinal function), without the influence of non-clinical factors that affect LOS. In colorectal surgery, minimal criteria for hospital discharge were suggested by consensus (Table 16.1 ) [ 17 ] and a subsequent study supported the validity and reliability of these criteria when measuring intermediate recovery [ 15 ].…”

“…Considering the limitations involved in the assessment of LOS, an alternative measure of intermediate recovery may be obtained by assessing the time to achieve standardized hospital discharge criteria ("time to readiness for discharge") [ 15 ]. The main advantage of this measure is that multiple factors related to in-hospital recovery are taken into account (e.g., pain, mobility, gastrointestinal function), without the influence of non-clinical factors that affect LOS.…”

Recovery after anaesthesia and surgery

“…Other stakeholders focus on other outcomes. Managers look at hospital length of stay, costs for complications, and factors related to logistics . For patients, some of these outcomes are the same as for the professionals.…”