Doctors help surgical patients heal faster

Did you know that carb-loading before surgery, rather than fasting, can help a patient recover more quickly?

That’s just one of the things doctors are learning as part a new project that is significantly reducing patients’ post-surgery recovery time.  It started in BC with a group of physicians in eight Interior Health hospitals led by anesthesiologist Dr Ron Collins. And, the great news is that planning is underway to expand Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) to other areas of the province.     

ERAS puts nearly 20 practices into place that have been shown to help patients heal faster with fewer complications. Carb-loading is just one of them. Others include: earlier feeding after surgery, earlier removal of catheters, and getting patients up and moving as soon as possible. Even something as simple as asking patients to chew gum to stimulate the stomach can help.

Dr Collins and a broad team of doctors and Health Authority administrators focused on post-colorectal surgery patients in the interior hospitals. Dr Collins told the Kelowna Daily Courier: “Colorectal surgery is just the first step. This whole ERAS movement is going to completely redesign the way we administer surgical services across BC and Canada.”

Not only do patients leave the hospital faster, but ERAS also saves the health care system thousands of dollars.  Dr Collins says that the average cost of colorectal surgeries is reduced by about $8,000 from the usual cost of about $12,000. Sometimes the savings are even greater.

The Specialist Services Committee, a collaborative committee of physicians and health ministry representatives provided support for the ERAS pilot project using funding negotiated through the Physician Master Agreement.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s great to see physicians, working in collaboration with government, Health Authorities, and others, leading the way in this work. It’s just one example of how doctors on the front lines are playing a key role in providing better care to patients and building a better health care system.  

Learn More: 

ERAS Pilot project

ERAS Expansion work: the beginnings

ERAS Expansion work: ongoing