Early mobilisation after abdominal surgery: a concept analysis.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Nursing
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Clinical Practice Development

Background:

• Early mobilisation is a critical component of postoperative care.
• Defining early mobilisation after abdominal surgery requires clarification for consistent application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify and define the clinical practice concept of early mobilisation after abdominal surgery.
• Establish a clear conceptual foundation for early mobilisation in abdominal surgery patients.

Main Methods:

• Concept analysis using Walker and Avant's method.
• Systematic literature search of MEDLINE, AMED, Embase, and CINAHL databases.
• Inclusion of 140 English full-text articles published from 2000 onwards.

Main Results:

• Early mobilisation is defined as initiating active physical movement within 24 hours post-surgery.
• Key attributes include patient readiness, haemodynamic stability, and pain management.
• Consequences encompass improved physiological recovery and enhanced postoperative outcomes.

Conclusions:

• A practice-focused definition of early mobilisation after abdominal surgery is provided.
• The study offers a conceptual framework to support clinical guidelines and consistent implementation.
• Findings can inform future research to optimise postoperative recovery.