Date of Award

Spring 5-28-2022

Document Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Kevin Maxwell, PhD, DNP, FNP-BC

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most complex and lethal diseases worldwide with surgical resection as a major treatment choice. Although surgery may be one of the only options for advanced pancreatic cancer, it is not without a lengthy hospital stay, a long list of possible postoperative complications, and an increased risk for readmission after discharge. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs have been implemented for years in other surgical services for cancer care. These programs have now been extended and researched to include patients undergoing surgery for pancreatic cancer. These programs are designed to assist patients and their families throughout the entirety of the perioperative period. This includes providing information preoperatively to educate patients on the expectations during their hospital stay to empower them to reach postoperative milestones sooner. These programs are evidence based and incorporate a multi-modal approach to improve perioperative treatment. Reaching postoperative milestones in line with a structured and standardized program specifically designed to a specific surgical procedure helps to increase knowledge and decrease inpatient length of stay.

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