A Prospective Longitudinal Quality Initiative toward Improved Enhanced Recovery after Cesarean Pathways

Liviu Cojocaru; Suzanne Alton; Autusa Pahlavan; Martha Coghlan; Hyunuk Seung; Ariel Trilling; Bhavani S. Kodali; Sarah Crimmins; Katherine R. Goetzinger

doi:10.1055/s-0043-1775560

American Journal of Perinatology, Table of Contents

Am J Perinatol 2024; 41(03): 229-240
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1775560

SMFM Fellowship Series Article

A Prospective Longitudinal Quality Initiative toward Improved Enhanced Recovery after Cesarean Pathways

Authors

Liviu Cojocaru

¹Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Suzanne Alton

²Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland
Autusa Pahlavan

³Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Martha Coghlan

⁴Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Hyunuk Seung

⁵Department of Pharmacy Practice and Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, Maryland
Ariel Trilling

⁶Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, University of Pittsburg School of Medicine, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Bhavani S. Kodali

⁷Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Obstetric Anesthesiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Sarah Crimmins

¹Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Katherine R. Goetzinger

¹Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to evaluate whether enhanced recovery after cesarean (ERAC) pathways reduces inpatient and outpatient opioid use, pain scores and improves the indicators of postoperative recovery.

Study Design This is a prospective, longitudinal, quality improvement study of all patients older than 18 undergoing an uncomplicated cesarean delivery (CD) at an academic medical center. We excluded complicated CD, patients with chronic pain disorders, chronic opioid use, acute postpartum depression, or mothers whose neonate demised before their discharge. Lastly, we excluded non-English- and non-Spanish-speaking patients. Our study compared patient outcomes before (pre-ERAC) and after (post-ERAC) implementation of ERAC pathways. Primary outcomes were inpatient morphine milligram equivalent (MME) use and the patient's delta pain scores. Secondary outcomes were outpatient MME prescriptions and indicators of postoperative recovery (time to feeding, ambulation, and hospital discharge).

Results Of 308 patients undergoing CD from October 2019 to September 2020, 196 were enrolled in the pre-ERAC cohort and 112 in the post-ERAC cohort. Patients in the pre-ERAC cohort were more likely to require opioids in the postoperative period compared with the post-ERAC cohort (81.6 vs. 64.3%, p < 0.001). Likewise, there was a higher use of MME per stay in the pre-ERAC cohort (30 [20–49] vs. 16.8 MME [11.2–33.9], p < 0.001). There was also a higher number of patients who required prescribed opioids at the time of discharge (98 vs. 86.6%, p < 0.001) as well as in the amount of MMEs prescribed (150 [150–225] vs. 150 MME [112–150], p < 0.001; different shape of distribution). Furthermore, the patients in the pre-ERAC cohort had higher delta pain scores (3.3 [2.3–4.7] vs. 2.2 [1.3–3.7], p < 0.001).

Conclusion Our study has illustrated that our ERAC pathways were associated with reduced inpatient opioid use, outpatient opioid use, patient-reported pain scores, and improved indicators of postoperative recovery.

Key Points

Implementation of ERAC pathways is associated with a higher percentage of no postpartum opioid use.
Implementation of ERAC pathways is associated with lower delta (reported − expected) pain scores.
The results of ERAC pathways implementation are increased by adopting a patient-centered approach.

Keywords

cesarean section - obstetrics - quality of care - maternal health - enhanced recovery after surgery

Full Text

References

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