Physical Activity, Quality of Life, and Nursing Workload in Colorectal Surgery

David Martin,Valérie Addor,Benoît Romain,Martin Hübner,Pénélope St-Amour,Valentine Guarnero,Nicolas Demartines

doi:10.1007/s12262-021-03247-6

David Martin, Valérie Addor + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-021-03247-6

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Abstract

Postoperative recovery depends on a complex interplay of patient-related factors of which mobility is an essential part. The aim of this study is to evaluate correlations between perioperative physical activity, quality of life, and postoperative nursing workload in colorectal surgery. A prospective study was used to assess footsteps, quality of life, and nursing workload. Number of footsteps was recorded from preoperative day 5 to postoperative day 3. Patients with reduced and good mobilization were compared, and the cut-off defined by the median daily preoperative footsteps. Quality of life was assessed by the Cleveland Global Quality of Life (CGQL). Nursing workload was calculated using the Project Research in Nursing (PRN) score. Statistical correlation was measured by use of the Pearson coefficient. Fifty patients were included. Mean age was 59 years, mean body mass index was 25 kg/m2, and 68% of them were males. Demographics, surgical details, and clinical outcomes were comparable between the group of patients with poor mobilization compared to those with good mobilization. No correlation was found between pre- or post-operative footsteps and CGQL (r = − 0.072, p = 0.640 and r = − 0.127, p = 0.407), as well as between the number of pre- or post-operative footsteps and PRN (r = 0.060, p = 0.687 and r = − 0.095, p = 0531). In conclusion, no correlation was found between the number of perioperative footsteps, quality of life, and nursing workload after colorectal surgery.

Highlights

Health systems have to cope with a growing number of patients to be treated and a constant increase in hospital activity
Patients with reduced and good mobilization were compared in terms of demographics, surgical details, and clinical outcomes
There were no differences between patients with low or good mobilization in terms of demographics, surgical details, and clinical outcomes

Summary

Introduction

Health systems have to cope with a growing number of patients to be treated and a constant increase in hospital activity. Nurses are increasingly under pressure to do more with same resources. This workload adversely impacts patient outcomes, such as patient’s experience, healthcare-acquired infections, postoperative complications, and mortality [1]. Enhanced recovery after surgery pathways (ERAS) emphasized on early postoperative mobilization, as it affects the ability to perform activities of daily living, return to work, and it helps to prevent complications. Increasing adherence to enhanced recovery pathways including fostered mobilization was found to correlate with decreasing nursing time per patient and per day [4]. To better understand recovery after surgery, quality of life (QoL) has become an important outcome measurement. Life satisfaction was shown to significantly impact the recovery process in a heterogeneous

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