364 Single Centre Evaluation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol for Elective Colorectal Surgical Procedures

Aim Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) have proven to be the safest and most effective standards in managing elective colorectal cancer patients pre-, peri- and post-operatively. This audit assesses the compliance to ERAS protocol in a single centre. Method Retrospective data were collected on 87 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery in a single centre between January to October 2023. Rate of compliance to selected pre-, peri- and post-operative audit standards as defined in the ERAS protocol was assessed. Outcomes of ERAS discharge success (% discharged before day 6 post-op) and length of stay were also collected. Results Eighty-seven patients were found to have undergone elective colorectal surgery between January and October 2023. Laparoscopic (64.4%) and robotic (21.8%) surgery were the most common operative methods with right hemicolectomy (33.3%) and high anterior resection (26.4%) comprising the most common operations. The compliance to pre-operative criteria was 63.2%, intra-operative criteria was 78.5%, and post-operative criteria was 59.8%. The overall compliance to ERAS protocol was 65.4%. Mean length of stay was 6.2 days and 60.9% of patients were deemed to have a successful ERAS discharge. Conclusions This audit illustrates that improvements are required to ensure better compliance with the ERAS protocol in our department. Pre-operatively, this can be facilitated by providing patients with carbohydrate drinks. Post-operatively, this can be achieved through prompt discussions regarding analgesia, opioid prescribing and by ensuring appropriate prescribing of nutritional support. A second cycle post-intervention will allow a review of our chosen outcomes to ensure we are optimising post-operative outcomes for elective colorectal patients.