Preoperative Home-Based Exercises to Decrease Postoperative Complications: A Clinical Practice Innovation

Cardiac surgery is associated with postoperative pulmonary complications that increase length of stay (LOS). The literature supports the use of preoperative exercise therapy to improve postoperative outcomes. This practice innovation implemented a home-based exercise program for adult patients who undergo elective cardiac operations. The purpose of this innovation was to decrease LOS and postoperative pulmonary complications in those patients. No statistically significant differences were noted between the 2 groups, however, there was a trend toward decreased LOS in the innovation group.

Source: The Journal for Nurse Practitioners - January 31, 2021 Category: Nursing Authors: Tracy Vernon-Platt, Margaret Bowers, John Ikonomidis, Thomas Caranasos, Devon Beer Tags: Brief Report Source Type: research