Table 1.

Benefits of ERPs in colorectal surgery

Downsides of hospitalization following surgery	Benefits of implementation of basic ERPs
• Hospital acquired infections/exposure risks	• Earlier return of gi function
• Non-compliance of nursing staff and allied health care professionals with early and sustained ambulation and out of bed programs	• Reduced length of hospital stay
• Increased narcotic usage and prescribing	• Reduced deconditioning
	• Earlier return to work
	• Earlier initiation of systemic chemotherapy for patients with colorectal cancer (which is associated with better cancer outcomes)
	• Higher patient satisfaction
	• Reduced health care utilization and costs
	• Multidisciplinary teamwork to align health care delivery in all phases of preparation, education, admission, surgery, anesthesia, multi-modal pain management, and recovery
	• Reduced re-admission rates
	• Improved perioperative patient education
	• Reduced variability in care
	• Surgical culture evolution