Patient information leaflets have been adapted to suit the needs of patients undergoing Cystectomy and ileal conduit surgery, and the principles of enhanced recovery are included to ensure that patients are aware of their role in their postoperative recovery, including what to expect after the operation.
Patients are encouraged to complete a diary in the days after surgery, so that they can monitor their progress and recovery in line with the enhanced recovery principles of early mobilisation and early nutrition.
Postoperative care pathway
The postoperative care pathway is used to standardise the nursing and medical documentation and to achieve a high quality of postoperative care.
The postoperative pathway details all aspects of multi-professional care, and sets targets for the patient to achieve on each postoperative day, up until discharge from hospital.
Discharge from hospital is based on certain criteria, of which both the patient and the multi-professional team are aware; once these criteria are met, the patient is deemed safe to be discharged from hospital
The post-operative goals include early enhanced nutrition using nutritional supplement drinks, a structured mobility plan from the day after surgery until discharge from hospital and daily teaching on the care of the patient's ileal conduit with the aim of independence.
We are currently reviewing our Urology Enhanced Recovery Programme to include Cystectomy and Neobladder Surgery in line with recent research and evidence so that it continues to meet the needs of our patients.
