To help improve the patient experience and surgical outcomes for its patients, Memorial Health University Medical Center has introduced Enhanced Surgical Recovery. ESR offers many benefits for patients, including eating sooner after surgery, less nausea, appropriate pain management and faster recovery.

“Studies have shown ESR is effective in improving outcomes for surgical patients,” said Oliver Whipple, MD, bariatric surgeon. “These patients typically require less narcotic medications and intravenous fluids, have a shorter length of stay and experience fewer post-surgical complications.”

Memorial’s ESR program consists of five measures identified to improve surgical outcomes:

• Nutrition, which includes clear liquids up to two hours before surgery and a carbohydrate drink two hours prior to surgery

• Preemptive oral pain medicines to reduce pain and nausea after surgery

• Fluid therapy and monitoring during surgery

• Drinking, eating and mobilization within 24 hours after surgery

• Education prior to surgery to help patients feel ready for their procedure

“For ESR to be successful, it’s important for the patient to take an active role,” said Whipple. “We partner with the patient to make sure these five things happen before, during and after surgery, so they will have a better surgery experience.”

During the initial implementation phase, ESR is available for total joint replacement, bariatric and gynecologic oncology surgery patients. Additional procedures will be added in the near future.