Early Ambulation Accelerate Recovery
Early Ambulation After Hip Surgery Accelerates Recovery
Colleen Peters
Azusa Pacific University
GNRS 507: Scientific Writing Diana Amaya Rodriquez, PhD, MS, CNS, RN
July 3, 2013
Research studies conducted all over the world, including Japan, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, and the United States, have explored the effects of early ambulation. Early ambulation is defined as less than 48 hours after surgery. The purpose of this paper is to review current research regarding implementation of early mobilization in the post surgical hip patients that are 65 years of age or older. Early ambulation has been linked to accelerated recovery in the elderly who have undergone hip surgery. Accelerated recovery may have benefits such as reduced length of hospital stay, reduced complications, and discharge of patients directly home instead of to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. The following compilation and analysis of research studies demonstrates and supports the hypothesis early ambulation accelerates recovery in the post surgical hip patients that are 65 years of age or older, and give nurses the most up- to- date evidence to achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients.
Background
Total joint replacements for hips and knees are among the most common surgical procedures in the United States. According to the Kaiser Permanente National Joint Replacement Registry, over 600,000 total hip and knee replacements are performed each year. By the year 2030, that number is projected to exceed $65 billion by 2015 (Paxton, Inacio, Slipchenko, & Fithian, 2008). Evidence-based guidelines and randomized controlled trials recommend immediate weight bearing and early ambulation within 48 hours after hip surgery. Delayed ambulation after hip surgery is associated with development of postoperative complications, increase in length of stay, and reduction of patients discharged directly home (Oldmeadow et al., 2006). “Early ambulation is
Colleen Peters
Azusa Pacific University
GNRS 507: Scientific Writing Diana Amaya Rodriquez, PhD, MS, CNS, RN
July 3, 2013
Research studies conducted all over the world, including Japan, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, and the United States, have explored the effects of early ambulation. Early ambulation is defined as less than 48 hours after surgery. The purpose of this paper is to review current research regarding implementation of early mobilization in the post surgical hip patients that are 65 years of age or older. Early ambulation has been linked to accelerated recovery in the elderly who have undergone hip surgery. Accelerated recovery may have benefits such as reduced length of hospital stay, reduced complications, and discharge of patients directly home instead of to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. The following compilation and analysis of research studies demonstrates and supports the hypothesis early ambulation accelerates recovery in the post surgical hip patients that are 65 years of age or older, and give nurses the most up- to- date evidence to achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients.
Background
Total joint replacements for hips and knees are among the most common surgical procedures in the United States. According to the Kaiser Permanente National Joint Replacement Registry, over 600,000 total hip and knee replacements are performed each year. By the year 2030, that number is projected to exceed $65 billion by 2015 (Paxton, Inacio, Slipchenko, & Fithian, 2008). Evidence-based guidelines and randomized controlled trials recommend immediate weight bearing and early ambulation within 48 hours after hip surgery. Delayed ambulation after hip surgery is associated with development of postoperative complications, increase in length of stay, and reduction of patients discharged directly home (Oldmeadow et al., 2006). “Early ambulation is