Use of the Obstetric Quality-of-Recovery Score (ObsQoR-11) to Measure the Impact of an Enhanced Recovery Programme for Elective Cesarean Section

( Int J Obstet Anesth. 2024;57:103955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijoa.2023.103955) Cesarean deliveries (CD) are increasingly common worldwide, yet recovery after CD is often slower than after vaginal birth, impacting individuals, families, and workplaces. Enhanced recovery after cesarean (ERAC) programs aim to improve this recovery process. However, there is variability in how ERAC outcomes are reported, hindering comparisons and recommendations. Many current measures, like length of stay (LOS) and pain scores, need to be improved in capturing overall patient recovery. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), such as the Obstetric Quality-of-Recovery (ObsQoR) score, offer a more comprehensive view from the patient’s perspective. Despite their importance, ERAC studies often overlook PROMs. The CRADLE study recently identified vital outcomes, including ObsQoR, for evaluating ERAC programs. We proposed using ObsQoR-11 to assess ERAC’s impact on patient recovery post-CS, expecting improved scores with ERAC implementation.