1 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U N E 2 0 1 8
E
nhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs are
all the rage now. Facilities are finding that not only do
these multimodal perioperative care pathways increase
patient satisfaction and get them on the mend faster,
but they could also help curb the opioid crisis.
Over the last 5 years, multiple unique ERAS programs have been
implemented at the University of Virginia Health System in
Charlottesville for different surgical procedures. "From the literature
Patient Education is Key to Reducing Opioids
JoEllen McBride, PhD | Associate Editor
When patients are involved in their recovery,
they need less pain medication.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
• RIGHT EXPECTATIONS The main goal with patient education is to set the right expectations ahead of time, which helps
patients recover faster and with less opioids.
