We believe that the success of ERAS® lies in structured implementation, and that continuous innovation is essential for improving surgical outcomes. Today, we’re excited to announce a major step forward: the launch of our first ERAS® Interactive Audit System (EIAS) Protocol Extension, which is now being applied by the colorectal surgery team at Sykehuset Østfold, Norway.
This new capability marks an important evolution in EIAS; enabling hospitals to track local adaptations, collect additional clinical data, and generate new research—all while staying within the integrity of the ERAS® framework.
What Is an EIAS Protocol Extension?
An EIAS Protocol Extension is a validated add-on to an existing ERAS® protocol. It allows hospitals to track additional data points based on clinical priorities, research interests, or national reporting requirements, without altering the core evidence-based pathway.
Built directly into EIAS, protocol extensions:
- Add structured data fields specific to local or national goals
- Maintain auditability and alignment with ERAS® guidelines
- Create new possibilities for real-world evidence and quality improvement
- Support multicenter research and benchmarking with consistent data
Case Spotlight: Sykehuset Østfold’s Focus on Opioid Reduction
The first EIAS Protocol Extension is now being piloted at Sykehuset Østfold, where the colorectal team wants to track their adapted opioid-sparing approach in a more structured and measurable way.
Having already demonstrated high-quality ERAS® implementation, Østfold’s team sees an opportunity to build on their success by collecting targeted data on analgesic strategies and their clinical impact.
“We are curious to see how our altered protocol for perioperative pain management can be converted into structured data. This would ease our work with internal quality assurance and improvement.”
— Sykehuset Østfold Colorectal Team
This new capability helps the team follow outcomes more precisely, report on national requirements, and contribute to broader scientific insights—all within the secure, validated environment of the EIAS platform.
What’s Next?
The Østfold pilot is just the beginning. We’re currently exploring protocol extensions for:
- Prehabilitation tracking
- PROMs and PREMs
- Nutrition optimization metrics
- Surgical technique modifiers
- National health reporting fields
Each of these unlocks opportunities to measure, refine, and research ERAS® more effectively across diverse hospital settings.
We envision a future where ERAS® is not only standardized but also research-enabled. Protocol extensions make that future possible.
Want to Build Your Own Extension?
We’re inviting hospitals and health systems to explore co-developing their own protocol extensions. Whether your goal is internal improvement, regulatory compliance, or research publication, we’d be glad to collaborate.
Contact us to discuss how your ERAS® pathway can evolve—securely, measurably, and meaningfully.
