Enhanced recovery after elective spinal and peripheral nerve surgery: pilot study from a single institution.

OBJECTIVEEnhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols address pre-, peri-, and postoperative factors of a patient's surgical journey. The authors sought to assess the effects of a novel ERAS protocol on clinical outcomes for patients undergoing elective spine or peripheral nerve surgery.METHODSThe authors conducted a prospective cohort analysis comparing clinical outcomes of patients undergoing elective spine or peripheral nerve surgery after implementation of the ERAS protocol compared to a historical control cohort in a tertiary care academic medical center. Patients in the historical cohort (September-December 2016) underwent traditional surgical care. Patients in the intervention group (April-June 2017) were enrolled in a unique ERAS protocol created by the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania. Primary objectives were as follows: opioid and nonopioid pain medication consumption, need for opioid use at 1 month postoperatively, and patient-reported pain scores. Secondary objectives were as follows: mobilization and ambulation status, Foley catheter use, need for straight catheterization, length of stay, need for ICU admission, discharge status, and readmission within 30 days.RESULTSA total of 201 patients underwent surgical care via an ERAS protocol and were compared to a total of 74 patients undergoing traditional perioperative care (control group). The 2 groups were similar in baseline demographics. Intravenous opioid medications postoperatively via patient-controlled analgesia was nearly eliminated in the ERAS group (0.5% vs 54.1%, p < 0.001). This change was not associated with an increase in the average or daily pain scores in the ERAS group. At 1 month following surgery, a smaller proportion of patients in the ERAS group were using opioids (38.8% vs 52.7%, p = 0.041). The ERAS group demonstrated greater mobilization on postoperative day 0 (53.4% vs 17.1%, p < 0.001) and postoperative day 1 (84.1% vs 45.7%, p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Postoperative Foley use was decreased in the ERAS group (20.4% vs 47.3%, p < 0.001) without an increase in the rate of straight catheterization (8.1% vs 11.9%, p = 0.51).CONCLUSIONSImplementation of this novel ERAS pathway safely reduces patients' postoperative opioid requirements during hospitalization and 1 month postoperatively. ERAS results in improved postoperative mobilization and ambulation.

The Benefits of Implementing an Early Mobility Protocol in Postoperative Neurosurgical Spine Patients.

: Background: Despite the known benefits of early postsurgical mobility, there are no clear recommendations on early mobility among uncomplicated postoperative neurosurgical spine patients. PURPOSE: The purpose of this quality improvement initiative was to establish an NP-led early mobility protocol to reduce uncomplicated postsurgical spine patients' length of stay (LOS) in the hospital and eliminate the variability of postsurgical care. A secondary objective was to educate and empower nursing staff to initiate the early mobility protocol independently and incorporate it in their practice to improve patient care. METHODS: Two neurosurgery NPs led an interprofessional team to develop the early mobility protocol. Team members provided preadmission preoperative education to communicate the necessity for early mobility and provide information about the protocol. New nursing guidelines called for patient mobility on the day of surgery, within six hours of arrival on the medical-surgical unit. Nurses were empowered to get patients out of bed independently, without a physical therapy consultation; they also removed urinary catheters and discontinued IV opioids when patients' status permitted. RESULTS: Over a one-year period, implementation of the protocol resulted in a nine-hour reduction in LOS per hospitalization in neurosurgical spine patients who underwent lumbar laminectomies. The protocol also allowed nurses more autonomy in patient care and was a catalyst for patient involvement in their postoperative mobility. Given the success of the protocol, it is being replicated by other surgical services throughout the organization. CONCLUSIONS: This low-cost, high-reward initiative aligns with the strategic plan of the organization and ensures that high-quality, patient-centered care remains the priority. NPs in other institutions can modify this protocol to promote postoperative mobility in their organizations.

The use of hypothermia as a treatment for traumatic brain injury.

Hypothermia has been shown to have neuroprotective effects and may have benefit in the treatment of head injuries. However, it is a controversial treatment in traumatic brain injury, and to date, there are no specific recommendations for its use. This article examines six research studies investigating the use of hypothermia as a treatment in patients with traumatic brain injury. All studies were prospective trials and compared a controlled normothermia group with a hypothermia group. Studies were compared by sample population, methods of hypothermia, outcomes, and conclusions. The leading variable in each study was hypothermia. However, each study used a different method of cooling, goal temperature, and duration of cooling. Through the comparison of these studies, a recommendation for change in practice cannot be made. Nevertheless, there may be benefits to hypothermia in traumatic brain injury, and suggestions for future research are identified.