Implementing early mobilisation after knee or hip arthroplasty to reduce length of stay: a quality improvement study with embedded qualitative component

Abstract Background Models of care for managing total knee or hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA) incorporating early mobilisation are associated with shorter acute length-of-stay (LOS). Few studies have examined the effect of implementing early mobilisation in isolation, however. This study aimed to determine if an accelerated mobilisation protocol implemented in isolation is associated with a reduced LOS without undermining care. Method A Before-After (quasi-experimental) study was used. Standard practice pre-implementation of the new protocol was physiotherapist-led mobilisation once per day commencing on post-operative Day 1 (Before phase). The new protocol (After phase) aimed to mobilise patients four times by end of Day 2 including an attempt to commence on Day 0; physiotherapy weekend coverage was necessarily increased. Poisson regression modelling was used to determine associations between study period and LOS. Additional outcomes to 12 weeks post-surgery were monitored to identify unintended consequences of the new protocol. Time to first mobilisation (hours) and proportion mobilising Day 0 were monitored to assess protocol compliance. An embedded qualitative component captured staff perspectives of the new protocol. Results Five hundred twenty consecutive patients (n = 278, Before; n = 242, After) were included. The new protocol was associated with no change in unadjusted LOS, a small reduction in adjusted LOS (8.1%, p = 0.046), a reduction in time to first mobilisation (28.5 (10.8) vs 22.6 (8.1) hrs, p