Do Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs improve patient outcomes and recovery in surgical patients?
ERAS programs effectively improve patient outcomes and accelerate recovery by reducing length of stay, complications, and costs, though they may increase 30-day readmissions in upper GI surgeries.
ERAS programs are associated with a significant reduction in LOS, total complications, total costs, as well as earlier return of GI function. Overall mortality and readmission rates remained similar, but there was a significant increase in 30-day readmission rates after upper GI surgeries. ERAS programs are effective and a valuable part in improving patient outcomes and accelerating recovery after surgery.
Lau et al. (2016) studied this question.