Thoracic surgeons lead the initiative. You establish best practices and protocols, based on data and experience. The patient stays within your care and within your control.
New ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) guidelines are here1, yet the manner in which they get rolled out in your institution is far less certain. Consider these potential scenarios:
- Scenario 1: Administration leads the initiative. They interpret ERAS and institute mandatory processes and protocols for patients recovering after thoracic surgery.
- Scenario 2: Nurses lead the initiative. They determine how your patients will recover (and what kinds of outcomes they’ll have) and create guidelines for the rest of the care team.
- Scenario 3: Thoracic surgeons lead the initiative. You establish best practices and protocols, based on data and experience. The patient stays within your care and within your control.