A modified nurse-led rehabilitation program to accelerate overall recovery of patients after colorectal surgery

Abstract

The number of patients with colorectal cancer had increased dramatically in recent years (Hong Kong cancer registry, 2012), and surgical resection is the first line treatment of colorectal. To enhance patients’recovery process, there is a need to develop a comprehensive and user-friendly, with most important, an evidence-based guideline for promoting patients’ recovery process. Traditional post-operative management is associated with different postoperative complications, delayed recovery, and lengthened hospital stay. Recent research documented that using a specific rehabilitation programme focused on education; early mobilization and early diet regime could enhance patients’ recovery. Therefore, this transitional research aims to evaluate the current evidence on the effect of adopting a specific rehabilitation programme, to formulate an evidence-based guideline, assess its implementation potential, and to develop an implementation and evaluation plan.

Ten related literature were retrieved from four electronic bibliographical databases. Critical appraisal had been done to ensure the quality and validity of the selected evidences. A clinical guideline is developed based upon the information from the identified high level of literature. The implementation potential is assessed based on the similarity and the readiness of the target setting to the proposed environment. It was found that the transferability of the protocol was high and it was feasible to be implemented into the target site. Little expenditure and input was expected, as the protocol was a systematic reformation of practice, rather that developing a set of totally new practice to current clinical setting.

An implementation plan was then planned, which included the communication plan with all the stakeholders. After reaching a consensus among the stakeholders, a two-month pilot study will be carried out for examining the readiness before the full-scale implementation of the program.

The evaluation plan of the effectiveness of the proposed program is developed. Result will be used to provide recommendation for further adjustment on the protocol to yield a better outcome. The implementation of this nurse-led rehabilitation program is suggested to be worthy of adoption in the clinical setting for bringing benefits to patients, the hospital and staffs.