ERAS Society and Latin America

Abstract

The volume of surgeries and their complexity has been increasing steadily worldwide. In our region, this demand is not resolved in quantity or quality and the lack of register of the care process leads to great misspending of funds, time and energy from health systems and their professionals.

The goal of ERAS® (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) is to develop perioperative care and improve its recovery through research, education, auditing and implementation of evidence-based practices. Systematically registration of the care process, actions based on accurate diagnosis and, finally, audit and adjustments of the actions are the working principles common to all ERAS® protocols. The different stages of surgical care are approached by a multidisciplinary team as an indivisible process that constitutes perioperative care. This team works week by week using the ERAS Society data management system that provides a registry with variables globally standardized that allow internal audit and external comparison.

The implementation of ERAS® programs in Europe and North America showed significant reductions in hospital stay, postoperative complications and costs of care. At a regional level, the ERAS® protocols have expanded to 6 countries and 10 centers with results similar to those reported in the rest of the world. A major change in perioperative care is underway in the region, and our goal is to make it available to  everyone.