Roger Maris Cancer Center, Fargo, ND
Cheryl Hysjulien, RN, PsyD and Andrea Paradis, 500 ERYT, AYS, CRMT, LR
Background
- Surgery is stressful. (Ramsay, 1972) With the addition of a cancer diagnosis, stress grows exponentially. Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster (PSHF) is a five-step program developed by Peggy Huddleston to prepare patients for the stress of surgery using mind-body techniques of relaxation, healing imagery and hypnotic statements. Additionally, it incorporates the use of community support. PSHF is an evidence based program that decreases pain, need for pain medications, surgical complications and promotes quicker recovery.
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a multi-modal, evidence based treatment program to improve outcomes for surgical patients. “Central to this mission is a culture of inclusivity and the recognition of the importance of multi-professional and multi-disciplinarian collaboration.” (ERAS USA, 2019) PSHF is qualified to be part of the Pre-Operative portion (patient counseling) of ERAS.
- Purpose: the purpose of this poster is to provide information on implementing an evidence-based, stress reduction program to be used to assist surgical patients in healing and decrease narcotic use and complications. It will demonstrate the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation to improve perioperative care and enhance post-operative recovery.
Methods
Recruitment: Purposeful sampling through regional Sanford facility. Participants were self-selected after being approached.
Participants: Cancer patients, prior to receiving cancer related surgery.
Protocol:
Two staff members trained under Peggy Huddleston and provided individual patient instruction.
Interested breast cancer surgeon collaborated in pilot program.
Initiated group class for breast surgery patients.
Formalized the process for referral and monitoring outcomes.
Created intentional relationship with Nurse Navigators to grow referrals to group class as well as private instruction.
Positive patient report to anesthesia generated initial discussions between ERAS and PSHF groups.
Education and demonstration for staff.
Patients’ level of stress was measured at: pre/post class instruction and immediately prior to surgery.
Outcomes
• Even though this study had limitations (ie. no post-op data, lack of understanding of importance of stress reduction before surgery, etc) results show increase of patient referrals and decrease of patient stress/anxiety. Furthermore we were able to identify barriers and solutions to implementing this integrative program within a hospital. Much of the growth hinged on collaboration between teams, staff education and awareness of expansion opportunities.
• The program grew exponentially with the PSHF and ERAS teams working together. Referrals grew by an estimated 150% due to assistance from Nurse Navigators and surgeon’s nurses. Through the positive outcomes from breast surgical patients, the Head and Neck team at RMCC approached the PSHF team to begin implementing the program with their surgical patients.
• Our data demonstrates significant improvement in patient stress/anxiety measures pre and post the PSHF class. This shows the importance of continuing to nurture collaboration and implement this program with all oncology patients requiring surgery.
Implications
Implications for patients: Reduces stress and anxiety associated with surgery. Increased comfort to adhere to steps of program due to interdisciplinary support. Anecdotal evidence shows increase of patient satisfaction through surgical process.
Implications for professionals: Skillful negotiation with multidisciplinary team members is essential to the success of the implementation of this program. More group collaboration and efficient communication is necessary to improve outcomes. Anecdotally systematic and cultural factors affected fulfillment of outcome measures. Moving forward, addressing these systematic and cultural factors will be critical for success and program growth. Interdisciplinary collaboration demonstrated an increase in referrals.