Abstract
Introduction
Hospital-acquired deconditioning (HAD) leads to functional decline, extended hospital stays, increased fall risk, and higher readmission rates, resulting in a significant cost burden on the NHS. Preventing HAD through early and regular physical rehabilitation is crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. This Quality improvement project , conducted in a ward, aimed to evaluate and enhance the implementation and effectiveness of physical rehabilitation programs to prevent HAD.
Method
The project began with administering questionnaires to both staff and patients to assess their knowledge about HAD, its significance, and the importance of physical rehabilitation. Following the initial data collection, educational leaflets and teaching sessions were provided to both groups to raise awareness and improve understanding. Post-intervention data were collected using the same questionnaires to evaluate changes in awareness and practices.
Results
The post-intervention data showed significant improvements. Staff awareness of deconditioning risks increased (3.8x post-intervention vs. 1.4x pre-intervention), and the time spent mobilizing patients increased (4.7 hours per shift vs. 3.5 hours per shift). Patients showed a better understanding of the importance of sitting out (9.0 to 9.6/10) and engaging with physiotherapy (5.6 to 9.7/10), along with heightened awareness of the dangers of bed rest (8.5 to 9.5/10). These outcomes indicate that the intervention effectively enhanced both staff and patient awareness and practices regarding physical rehabilitation.
Conclusion
This intervention significantly improved staff and patient awareness, mobilization efforts, and understanding of rehabilitation's importance, effectively reducing the risk of HAD in the ward. Sustaining these improvements requires ongoing staff training, regular audits, and continuous education for both patients and healthcare providers. By preventing HAD, these efforts enhance patient outcomes and reduce the NHS's financial burden due to readmissions and prolonged hospital stays. The study highlights the crucial role of education and structured rehabilitation programs in combating hospital-acquired deconditioning.