Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Can Contribute Health Economic Benefits in Japan

Abstract

  Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are designed to improve patient recovery, reduce postoperative complications, increase safety, shorten hospital stays, and reduce health care costs. In Europe, many reports have described not only improved medical efficacy due to enhancing patient recovery but also the associated important economic benefits of shortening hospital stays when ERAS protocols are used. In Japan, ERAS protocols are increasingly utilized, primarily to improve patient care, but the potential economic benefits of ERAS protocols have not attracted major interest. This article describes how our hospital introduced an ERAS program, and reports the shortening of hospital stays and the economic benefits resulting from its implementation. Differences in Japanese culture, lifestyle and health care systems across Japan could lead to challenges in the widespread use of ERAS protocols unless they are customized to fit each local medical situation.