Analysis of ERAS protocol adherence and postoperative outcomes after major colorectal surgery in a community hospital

Despite widespread adoption, the efficacy of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in community hospital settings remains understudied. This retrospective analysis conducted at a high-volume community hospital aimed to evaluate adherence to ERAS protocols and analyze postoperative outcomes following colorectal surgery. A total of 278 adult patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery between January 2022 and January 2024 were included. Data analysis revealed time to first mobilization proved to be satisfactory in accordance with ERAS hospital guidelines (mean 1.0 ​± ​0.05 days, range 0.1–13.8 days), and furthermore demonstrated a strong positive correlation with both time to first bowel function (r ​= ​0.69, p ​< ​0.0001) and length of stay (r ​= ​0.25, p ​< ​0.0001). Time to urinary catheter removal occurred slightly after guideline-directed removal (mean 1.1 ​± ​0.05 days, range 0.5–12.9 days), however did exhibit a significant positive correlation with length of stay (r ​= ​0.33, p ​< ​0.0001). 10.9 ​% of patients experienced a postoperative complication, while the average length of stay across all procedures was 3.1 ​± ​0.17 days (range 0.9–23.3 days), and the overall 30-day readmission rate stood at 10.43 ​%. This study underscores the need for ongoing evaluation and refinement of ERAS protocols in community hospital settings to enhance surgical care and patient satisfaction.