Satisfaction survey after an ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocol in colorectal elective surgery in patients over 70 years of age

Introduction: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs have been shown to reduce hospital stay, without increasing the rate of complications or readmissions 30 days after discharge; however, there is limited information about patient satisfaction. Objective: To determine the satisfaction of our patients following the implementation of an ERAS protocol in elective colorectal surgery. Materials and methods: A period of 4 days after discharge, a telephone survey was conducted based on the enhanced recovery in abdominal surgery clinical survey of the first 55 patients aged 70 years or older, who underwent elective colorectal surgery according to an ERAS protocol at the Hospital Universitario de Guadalajara, Spain. This is a cross-sectional analytical study. Results: Most of our patients are very satisfied with the care and the way they were treated by the health staff during their hospitalization, and they would be willing to undergo surgery again following this protocol. Most of them consider that the information received in the pre-anesthesia and surgery consultation is very good, and they value this consultation as one of the most positive aspects of the protocol. More than half of the patients did not experience any nausea or vomiting and rated their pain as <3 (minimum 0 and maximum 10). Most considered the introduction of oral feeding and ambulation as on time or somewhat early. Conclusion: Elderly patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery according to an ERAS protocol are highly pleased with the care received. Standardized surveys are required to be able to contrast outcomes.