Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: Are the Principles Applicable to Adult and Geriatric Acute Care and Trauma Surgery?

The incorporation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) fundamentals into perioperative medicine has improved the patient care experience and hastened recovery time while reducing hospital costs. Research studies have shown that incorporating ERAS principles in the adult or geriatric acute care surgery populations minimizes time to resumption of preoperative activity and reduces hospital length of stay. ERAS principles are widely applicable to these patient cohorts and may be applicable in trauma patients. Increased physician and nursing education to promote widespread utilization of enhanced recovery protocols will further improve quality of health care administered in the twenty-first century.