The study examined outcomes in 244 patients undergoing elective colon and rectal resection before and after the beginning of a recovery program. The recovery program was based on the following:
• Patient education
• Optimal management of fluids
• Minimal incision length
• Decreased use of tubes and drains
• Opioid-sparing analgesia
• Early postoperative mobilization and eating after surgery
After the institution of the recovery program, the researchers observed:
• 30 percent increase in laparoscopy
• Three-day decrease in length of stay
• Decrease of patient-controlled opioid analgesia from 63.2 percent of patients to 15 percent
• 10.7 percent decrease in postoperative ileus
• 4.9 percent decrease in intra-abdominal infection
The reduced length of stay resulted in cost savings of $3,202 per patient in 2011 and $4,803 per patient in 2012, according to the report.
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