A Dietitian's Role in Quality Improvement: Lessons Learned from Enhanced Recovery in Bariatric Surgery

Student Member Price: $10.00

Surgical enhanced recovery has become popular because of its role in standardizing perioperative processes and enhancing postoperative outcomes. In this session, learn why the dietitian should be involved in planning care for patients undergoing bariatric surgery, including preoperative nutrition assessment, instructions regarding carbohydrate loading, and support throughout postoperative diet advancement. Because enhanced recovery protocols are used among a variety of surgical specialties (e.g., orthopedic or colorectal), dietitians from an array of practice areas will benefit from this session.

Additionally, enhanced recovery care pathways lend themselves to a rich environment for conducting meaningful quality improvement projects. Participants will learn about the results from two large, multicenter trials regarding the use of enhanced recovery protocols in bariatric surgery. The studies specifically highlight the appropriateness of carbohydrate loading in patients with diabetes and reducing the use of opioids in the surgical patient.

Planned with the Weight Management DPG

CPE Level: Level 3 (advanced knowledge/expertise)
CPEU: 1.0

Performance Indicators

• 7.4.8 Evaluates, communicates and documents quality management activities, outcomes and recommendations to advance knowledge, to change practice and to enhance effectiveness of services.
• 6.2.3 Analyzes and interprets data to form valid conclusions and to make recommendations.
• 8.2.3 Analyzes new information and how it impacts medical nutrition therapy.

Learning Objectives

• Describe nutrition guidelines for enhanced recovery care of surgical patients, including a focus on guidelines for bariatric surgery.
• Identify methods for evaluation of enhanced recovery interventions and post-operative outcomes.
• List the basic steps to initiate and complete a quality improvement project using lessons learned from a multi-site bariatric surgery quality improvement program as an example.

Speakers

• Melissa Majumdar
• Teresa Fraker