Improving BC’s surgical programs

BC doctors know that a surgical patient’s time spent in the OR is only part of the care needed for success. What goes on before and after surgery can really determine the long-term results. Several  inter-related initiatives to improve surgical care are occurring in BC through the support of BC doctors and the government , along with the cooperation of Health Authority partners.

The initiatives are a provincial strategy to implement Enhance Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, and to expand the BC Hip Fracture Redesign to all 28 hip fracture care sites.

The provincial ERAS strategy is being developed by a Collaborative made up of doctors, nurses and other allied health care providers.  ERAS is a care pathway that ensures a patient goes into surgery in an optimal state by providing timely access, maintaining pre- and post-op organ function through appropriate food and drink, increasing communication within the multi-disciplinary team, and defining care paths for quicker recovery. Currently, the Collaborative aims to build ERAS capacity throughout BC’s surgical programs starting with elective colorectal surgery.

At the same time, the BC Hip Fracture Redesign Project is developing hip fracture registries to establish key measures that identify implementation issues, performance measurements that track factors like length of stay, complications post-discharge and more, and incorporating best practices - including ERAS.

Tracking this information, identifying gaps and capturing issues has so far resulted in more patients receiving hip surgery within 48 hours, improved recovery, reduced complications, allowed for fewer days in bed, more effective rehab and a quicker return to the community.

Both initiatives got their start with funding from the Specialist Services Committee, a collaborative committee of Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health. Recognizing that surgery is a short-term event with long-term implications, BC doctors are working to ensure that best practices are both developed and used for improved patient care.

For more information on ERAS

For more information on BC Hip Fracture Redesign Project