Key result
Early ambulation reduced the incidence of postoperative respiratory tract infections compared to the control group (12.5% vs 85%) among elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
Why the study?
Does early ambulation reduce postoperative respiratory tract infections in elderly patients with abdominal surgeries?
Does early ambulation reduce postoperative respiratory tract infections in elderly patients with abdominal surgeries?
Early ambulation significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative respiratory tract infections and decreases hospital stay in elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
Supports early ambulation in elderly post-abdominal surgery care; hypothesis-generating and requires RCTs before practice change.
Background: Abdominal surgery is one of the most frequent surgical procedures performed in age 65 and more. postoperative respiratory tract infection (RTIs) is the most common serious complication after this type of surgery with reported incidence between 17-88%. Delayed mobilization was associated with a three-fold increase in RTIs. Aim of the study: To evaluate the effect of early ambulation on reducing RTIs among postoperative elderly patients with abdominal surgeries. Research design: Quasi-experimental research design was utilized in the current study. Subjects: Convenient sample including 80 elderly patients male and female, classified equally into two equal groups; study group (n= 40) and control group (n= 40), were collected through one year. Setting: This study was carried out at the general surgery departments (A and C) at Minia University Hospital. Tools of data collection: three tools were utilized in collecting data. Tool I: patient interview structured questionnaire, Tool II: patient's physical and respiratory assessment; Tool III: early ambulation record. Results: current study findings revealed that the 87.5% of the study group were free from postoperative RTIs. In contrast to, 85% of the control group had postoperative RTIs. Conclusion: The current study findings concluded that, early ambulation had a synergetic positive effect on reducing postoperative RTIs, improving respiratory parameters and decreased length of hospital stay among elderly with laparotomy. Recommendations: Hospitals should recommend implementing protocols for postoperative early ambulation as a routine hospital policy among all general surgical patients in all age groups.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Bakr et al. (2018) studied Postoperative elderly patients with abdominal surgeries (n=80). Early ambulation vs. Control group was evaluated on Postoperative respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Early ambulation reduced the incidence of postoperative respiratory tract infections compared to the control group (12.5% vs 85%) among elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: