Analysis of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Applications in Patients Who Received Surgical Intervention

Background & Objectives: Accelerated recovery approaches decrease the stress response, improve the functions of organs and thus shorten the recovery process postoperatively. Nurses, as a member of health care team, have the key role in these applications. This research was carried out with the aim of analyzing the ERAS methods which applied to the patients in surgical clinics. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2013 to include 194 patients who underwent a surgical intervention. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and statistically evaluated using percentage, chi-square test and correlation analysis. Results: It was found that almost all of the patients got information about operation in preoperative period. According to our study, mostly general anesthesia was applied (87.6% of the patients); fasting durations (27.3 ± 20.2 hr for liquid and 38.2 ± 22.8 hr for solid food) and first mobilization durations (33.6 ± 19.5 hr) were long and approximately in half of the patients total pain control couldn’t be achieved. It was detected that intravenous catheters were often used whereas urinary catheter or nasogastric tube was rarely used. As the first mobilization time extended, length of stay in the hospital prolonged postoperatively. Conclusion: Based on the study findings, it was concluded that ERAS programs were applied partially.