Two QI programs lead to fewer postop complications

Editor's Note

After implementing two presurgery checklists from the American College of Surgeons Strong for Surgery (S4S) program, most diabetic patients met blood sugar control recommendations, and many patients quit smoking before surgery. Use of the checklists along with an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) approach resulted in decreased length of stay, costs, and complication rates, in this study presented July 23 at the American College of Surgeons 2018 Quality and Safety Conference in Orlando, Florida.

After use of S4S for 6 months, the percentage of diabetic patients with proper glycemic control rose to 97.31%, and 10.5% of tobacco users quit smoking preoperatively.

Use of ERAS during the same time period, decreased length of stay by 1.5 days and reduced costs an average of $2,027.

There was momentum for both programs because they are evidence based and provide tools to make a difference in the care of surgical patients, the researchers say.