AORN Launches New Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Award

DENVER, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) announces the launch of the AORN Center of Excellence (COE) in Surgical Safety: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) award program. This free recognition program gives hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers a clear pathway to strengthen evidence-based practices, improve patient recovery, enhance team collaboration, and achieve national recognition for surgical safety.

The program is built on the AORN Guideline for Implementation of ERAS, part of the organization's Guidelines for Perioperative Practice.   

"The research is clear: ERAS improves outcomes, yet it remains underutilized. Our members and event attendees consistently expressed a desire to learn more about Enhanced Recovery After Surgery and how to implement interventions in every phase of care," said Hannah Campbell, Program Manager at AORN.

"AORN recognized a growing demand for guidelines around ERAS. Our Center of Excellence aligns with this need as an evidence-based, patient-centered approach that enhances recovery, reduces complications, and shortens hospital stays."

AORN CEO David Wyatt said the association's value of interdisciplinary collaboration is exemplified in the ERAS approach.

"Among perioperative practice priorities, few illustrate more effectively than ERAS the impact of coordinated interventions and the combined efforts of diverse team members on achieving targeted patient outcomes," he said.

Why ERAS Matters

ERAS is a patient-centered, evidence-based approach designed to improve outcomes by minimizing the physiological and psychological stress of surgery. Initially developed for colorectal procedures, ERAS protocols now span multiple specialties and can benefit most perioperative patients.

"Perioperative nurses are at the center of successful implementation of ERAS protocols," said Lisa Spruce, Director of Evidence-Based Perioperative Practice at AORN. "From preparing patients before surgery to maintaining normothermia and fluid balance intraoperatively, and encouraging early mobilization and multimodal pain management afterward, nurses play a vital role in every step of the ERAS journey."

A Structured Path to Success

The AORN COE in ERAS provides a framework supported by role-specific education, practical toolkits, benchmarking resources, and guidance from AORN experts. This program is made possible by sponsors CONMED, Pacira, and Solventum through the AORN Foundation.

About AORN
Founded in 1949, AORN supports more than 200,000 perioperative nurses with evidence-based research, education, standards, and resources to enable optimal outcomes and promote safe surgery for every patient, every time.

For more information, visit www.aorn.org.

Contact
Christian Czerwinski
Communications Manager
AORN
2170 S. Parker Road, Ste. 400 
Denver, CO 80231
cczerwinski@aorn .org

SOURCE Association of periOperative Registered Nurses