Terrebonne General Offers Safer, Quicker Recovery for Surgery Patients

Pictured are: Terrebonne General Medical Center’s Anesthesia Team, Dr. Jared Roussel, Dr. Francis Lewis, II, Dr. Michael Prejean, Jr. and Dr. Ben Adams; along with our surgeons, implemented the first Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program in the region designed to improve patient’s recovery from surgery.

Developments at Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) are occurring at a rapid pace through new therapies and technologies that reduce side effects and enhance outcomes and quality of life. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) are evidence based protocols that are designed to accelerate a surgical patient’s recovery time, reduce hospital stay and safely manage pain more effectively. TGMC is the only facility in the region to now offer an advanced program designed to improve patient’s recovery from surgeries performed at TGMC and has been especially successful in breast reconstruction surgery for our patients of Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center.

“TGMC and our physicians are constantly pursuing techniques that lead to improvements in patient care with the use of evidence based practices,” said Dr. Ben Adams, Director of Anesthesiology. “Since implementing the use of ERAS protocols, our patients are experiencing a reduction in post-operative pain while also minimizing the use of narcotics. This leads to improved patient satisfaction, less time in the hospital and a quicker return to normal function.”

ERAS is a collaborative approach supported by surgeons, physicians, anesthesia staff, clinical nutrition, nursing, and therapy that focuses on ensuring patients are actively involved in their recovery and can quickly return to normal function. The program’s main stages include decreased postoperative pain, reduced complications, and improved outcomes, decreased length of stay, expedited recovery and minimized surgical stress response.

ERAS is one of many examples of how TGMC provides comprehensive, leading edge care, close to the comforts of home. ‘’It was a wonderful experience. I had no pain and the service was great! I was able to go home the next day and everyone I came in contact with was awesome,” said Lola Mahler, breast cancer patient of TGMC. For more information about ERAS services at TGMC, visit tghealthsystem.com.