Colorectal ERAS improves outcomes, reduces costs

Editor's Note

An Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) program for colorectal surgery patients shortened hospital length of stay by more than half, reduced complications by more than one-third, and cut costs by some $11,000 per procedure, finds a study presented July 23 at the American College of Surgeons 2017 Quality and Patient Safety Conference.

A total of 246 patients who had elective colorectal surgery at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, were included in the study.

Hospital length of stay after implementation of the program was 2.89 days vs 5.65 days. The direct variable cost was about $3,705 lower, and total hospital costs were reduce by $11,000 per patient for an overall savings of around $1 million for the year. 

NEW YORK (July 24, 2017, 3:00 pm ET): A protocol that standardizes care before, during, and after colorectal operations has reduced hospital stays by more than half, reduced complications by more than one-third, and cut costs up to $11,000 per procedure, according to study results presented yesterday at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) 2017 Quality and Patient Safety Conference.