Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are evidence-based multimodal and multidisciplinary approaches to optimal perioperative management. Nutrition care before, during, and after surgery is a core ERAS component that promotes early recovery and discharge from hospital. Current Canadian practices pertaining to surgical nutrition are unknown. We recently conducted a national survey of surgical nutrition practices, attitudes, and barriers, which highlights areas for improvement. Findings from our national survey of surgical nutrition practices highlights a knowledge-to-action gap. While nearly all healthcare professionals surveyed believed that preoperative malnutrition is a modifiable risk factor associated with worse surgical outcomes and is a treatment priority, less than half screen for malnutrition and fewer treat malnutrition before surgery. Dr. Gillis will discuss the consequences of these actions by reviewing recent surgical nutrition evidence and discuss strategies to address this practice gap.
Dr. Chelsia Gillis is a Registered Dietitian, Vanier Scholar and Assistant Professor in the School of Human Nutrition at McGill University. She is the Nutrition Lead for the PeriOperative Program at the Montreal General Hospital. Her research interests include Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, prehabilitation, surgical metabolism, and patient engagement.