Objective: Compare postoperative hospital stay between the rapid recovery group and the usual care group. Secondary

Objectives: Assess morbidity and mortality between both groups. Evaluate patient satisfaction using validated tools. Analyze incremental costs associated with both approaches. Assess healthcare teams' learning progression regarding the protocol (Kirkpatrick method). Evaluate adherence to rapid recovery protocol metrics by healthcare teams. Measure changes in patient safety culture among healthcare professionals. Hypothesis: The null hypothesis assumes no difference in hospital stay between the two groups. The alternative hypothesis suggests that the rapid recovery protocol will reduce hospital stay compared to the standard care. Previous findings from Mejia et al. (2022) indicated a 40% reduction in postoperative hospital stay (from 13 to 7.8 days) for cardiac surgery patients under a rapid recovery protocol at the Heart Institute (InCor HCFMUSP). This trial will provide critical insights into the applicability of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) principles in cardiac surgery within the context of public healthcare, aiming to improve outcomes and optimize resource use.