Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Document Type

Major Paper

School

School of Nursing

Department

Nursing

Date of Original Version

5-13-2017

Abstract

Mobilization plays an important role in the outcomes of postoperative patients. Early mobilization as an intervention is the most significant general nursing measure in the prevention of complications. Current research demonstrates a decrease in complication rates, reported pain and length of stay when early ambulation is initiated. Despite this evidence, early mobilization as a best practice standard is implemented inconsistently on the women’s health unit of a community hospital. The purpose of this project was to improve nurses’ knowledge and attitudes of early mobilization of postoperative patients. The quality improvement project utilized a pre-survey, educational intervention, post-survey design. Twenty-five nurses (52%) participated in the project. The educational intervention integrated knowledge obtained from the review of literature in the form of a 15 minute Power Point presentation. Pre/post-survey included knowledge-based questions and opinion-based questions. Overall, post-survey scores increased by 16.8% and knowledge were improved when compared to the pre-survey. Nurses’ opinion of the importance of mobilization improved from pre-survey to post-survey. Time and patient’s pain were noted as barriers to early mobilization. Minimal change in nurses’ opinion of these barriers was noted from pre-survey to post-survey. The nurses’ ability to communicate and document mobilization showed the largest improvement from pre-survey to post-survey. The educational in-services were successful in improving the nurses’ knowledge and attitude of early mobilization of the postoperative patient.

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