Improving Patient Recovery After Surgery

The Problem
Major abdominal surgery, such as elective colon surgery or major hernia repair, is high risk. After surgery, patients typically have long stays in the hospital, which increases the risk for occurrence of deep vein thrombosis—a blood clot in the legs or-and hospital-acquired infections. Patients are at bedrest for much of their stay, which causes loss of muscle mass and strength. The standard practice of fasting before surgery also delays patients' return to normal intestinal
activity.

The Solution
Owatonna Hospital adopted the Enhanced Recovery Protocol, a three-step protocol that includes:

1. Education for the patient and family before surgery;
2. A process to maintain the patient's normal physiology and an epidural to control pain; and
3. Patient ambulation four hours after surgery and return to a regular diet and activity within 24 hours.