Abstract
Background Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) procedures are increasingly recognized for their ability to improve surgical outcomes and shorten hospital stays, particularly in resource-constrained environments like Pakistan. This study underscores the transformative potential of ERAS protocols in not only enhancing patient recovery but also optimizing healthcare resource utilization in such settings. The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ERAS protocols in reducing postoperative complications and hospital stays among surgical patients in Pakistan, with a focus on their impact on overall recovery and healthcare efficiency. Methodology A prospective cohort design was employed, recruiting 400 adult patients aged 18 years and older undergoing elective surgical procedures from January to December 2023. Data on demographics, adherence to ERAS procedures, postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, and recovery metrics were gathered before, during, and after surgery for participants who were split into ERAS and standard care groups. To compare results between groups, statistical procedures such as t-tests and chi-square tests were used. Results The ERAS group exhibited a significantly shorter mean length of hospital stay (3.52 ± 1.27 days) compared to the standard care group (6.29 ± 2.15 days, p < 0.001). Full recovery rates at 30 days, three months, and six months were significantly higher in the ERAS group, with 160 patients (80.0%), 178 patients (89.0%), and 191 patients (95.5%), respectively. In contrast, the standard care group showed recovery rates of 122 patients (61.0%), 147 patients (73.5%), and 164 patients (82.0%) at the same intervals. The ERAS group also had lower rates of postoperative complications, with 176 patients (88.0%) experiencing no complications compared to 152 patients (76.0%) in the standard care group, and lower readmission rates, with nine patients (4.5%) compared to 19 patients (9.5%) in the standard care group. Conclusion The successful implementation of ERAS procedures in Pakistan highlights their potential to improve healthcare efficiency by increasing surgical recovery and lowering hospital stays.