Effectiveness of Enhanced Surgical Recovery Nursing Program on Postoperative Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery

Abstract

Background newlineThe perioperative phase includes a variety of procedures and practices that aim to prepare the patient physically and psychologically for surgery, thereby reducing the length of hospital stay. Enhanced recovery is currently considered to be the treatment of various elective major surgeries. newlineStatement of the problem newlineEffectiveness of enhanced surgical recovery nursing program on postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing abdominal surgery. newlineAim of the study newlineThe study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of enhanced surgical recovery nursing program on physiological, psychological, and general outcomes among patients undergoing abdominal surgery. newlineMaterial and methods newlineA quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design was conducted in Yenepoya Medical College Hospital, Mangaluru. A purposive sampling technique was used and study participants were assigned to the treatment-as-usual group, and then matched to the experimental group based on age, gender, and BMI. Data was collected from patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery (n=142). The approval for conducting the study was obtained from the Scientific Review Board (SRB) of the institution, and Institutional Ethics Committee I. Psychological (anxiety) and physiological outcomes (vital capacity, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure) were assessed in both groups on preoperative day 1 (2 days before surgery) and preoperative day 2 (1 day before surgery). Enhanced surgical recovery nursing program was administered to the experimental group, consisting of preoperative education using an information booklet, listening to music, the practice of deep breathing exercises using an incentive spirometer, and early mobilization by lower extremity exercises for the initiation of early feeding after surgery. Psychological (anxiety) and physiological outcomes (pain, vital capacity, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure) were assessed on postoperative days 1, 2 and 3. Patients were assessed for immediate postoperative complications. On