Patients performing lower limb exercises in an orthopedic ward: a best practice implementation project

Area of Science:

• Clinical Nursing
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Patient Education

Background:

• Hospitalized patients experience inactivity, leading to muscle mass reduction and deconditioning.
• Early mobilization and exercise are crucial to mitigate negative health outcomes during hospital stays.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate an evidence-based project educating patients on lower limb exercises soon after admission.
• To improve patient engagement in exercise programs during hospitalization.

Main Methods:

• A three-phase, 18-month project in an orthopedic ward of an acute tertiary hospital.
• Utilized a pre- and post-implementation audit strategy with 20 adult patients.
• Employed the Joanna Briggs Institute's Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System and the Getting Research into Practice framework.

Main Results:

• Baseline audit showed only 35% of patients received exercise education, with poor nursing documentation.
• Post-implementation, nursing documentation compliance improved significantly, reaching 60% in follow-up audit one and 90% in follow-up audit two.

Conclusions:

• The project successfully enhanced the provision of lower limb exercise education to patients.
• Patients demonstrated willingness to exercise, highlighting the importance of early nurse-led education.
• Increased awareness among nurses and patients regarding exercise benefits can minimize hospital-acquired deconditioning and functional decline.