The effectiveness of early mobilization in postoperative recovery among surgical patients

Abstract

Background: Postoperative recovery is a critical part of patient care, and early mobilization practice has been touted as a critical intervention in ensuring recovery. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of early mobilization programs initiated by nurses for enhancing postoperative recovery in selected hospitals in Solapur, Maharashtra. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with 30 participants, divided equally between the intervention group (early mobilization) and control group (usual care), was performed. A nurse-initiated mobilization protocol was introduced, and recovery outcomes such as functional mobility, pain, length of stay, and complications were measured. Data were collected daily using standardized assessment tools like the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Results: The intervention group had significantly shorter hospital stays (mean of 6.8 days compared to 9.4 days, p< 0.01), independent ambulation at an earlier stage (mean of 4.2 days compared to 6.1 days, p< 0.05), and improved patient satisfaction scores (mean of 4.6 compared to 3.8, p< 0.05). Complications like deep vein thrombosis were fewer in the intervention group. Conclusion: The findings bring out the intervention role of nursing professionals in initiating early mobilization programs, which lead to enhanced recovery outcomes and fewer complications. This study supports the practice of evidence-based nurse-initiated mobilization protocols and the necessity for ongoing training to make it more easily adoptable in clinical practice.