About
We are an international collaboration focused on improving patient outcomes after surgery through the development and implementation of enhanced Recovery Room/Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) models. Open to clinicians, administrators, healthcare providers, payers, and patients, ‘the Network’ aims to share knowledge, promote best practices, and improve the quality and value of early postoperative care.
Our work is inspired by the Advanced Recovery Room Care (ARRC) model developed at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Backed by rigorous trials, ARRC has demonstrated significant improvements in patient outcomes—such as a 35% reduction in mortality and an average of 4.5 more days at home post-surgery—along with substantial cost and bed savings for hospitals. These results have been recognised internationally and published in leading medical journals.
A hub for innovation
The success of the ARRC model has sparked global interest, leading to workshops, international collaborations, and requests for support from hospitals and researchers worldwide. To build on this momentum, the Network serves as a hub for innovation, education, and quality improvement, with long-term goals including international trials and the creation of a global registry.
Meet the people
-
Prof Guy Ludbrook
Prof Ludbrook is Professor of Anaesthesia at University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Director of PARC Clinical Research, and Director of Innovation at Central Adelaide Local Health Network. His professional interests include Anaesthesia and perioperative medicine; Pharmacology; Clinical trials; Health services improvement, and Health economics.
-
Prof M Grocott
Prof Grocott is Professor of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Southampton, Director of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, elected Council Member of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, and founder of the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC). His interests are perioperative medicine, critical care, patient safety, and healthcare policy.
-
Dr Esrom Leaman
Dr Leaman is a Research Fellow at the University of Adelaide and Central Adelaide Local Health Network, and an Anaesthetics trainee in South Australia. His research interests include perioperative health economics, clinical trials, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), and the application of artificial intelligence in anaesthesia. Dr Leaman has published in leading journals and is actively involved in research and teaching at the University of Adelaide.
-
Kathy Heyman RN, BSN
Kathy Heyman RN, BSN is a Senior Research Nurse with over 15 years of experience in perioperative research and clinical care, and has contributed to several studies on preoperative and postoperative care protocols. Her professional interests include perioperative safety, evidence-based practice, patient outcomes, clinical trials, and mentoring within the research nursing field.
-
Hayden Francis