A cohort study of 7 day a week physiotherapy on an acute orthopaedic ward
详细信息 查看全文
- 作者：Anne-marie Boxall ; Allyn Sayers ; Gideon A. Caplan
- 关键词：Physiotherapy ; Weekend ; Orthopaedic ; Length of stay
- 刊名：Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing
- 出版年：2004
- 出版时间：May 2004
- 年：2004
- 卷：8
- 期：2
- 页码：96-102
- 全文大小：170 K
文摘
Physiotherapy is vital in managing orthopaedic conditions, but in many public hospitals it is not routinely provided on weekends and holidays. This cohort study examines the impact of a 7 day a week physiotherapy programme on an acute orthopaedic ward using additional staffing to supplement weekday services. One hundred and twenty patients with a broad range of diagnoses were included in each group. For the total patient cohort, no statistically significant differences were detected between groups for average length of stay (ALOS) or time to achieve independent transfers and mobility. However, intervention patients with a fractured ankle had a significantly shorter ALOS (p=0.05) and achieved independent mobility sooner than the control group (p=0.03). Intervention patients admitted for a total knee replacement achieved independent transfers significantly sooner that control patients (p=0.04). Clinically significant improvements were demonstrated in a number of other diagnostic subgroups. A large number of patients in both groups experienced a delayed discharge for organisational reasons, but the proportion was significantly higher in the intervention group (p<0.001). This study provides some evidence of the effectiveness of 7 day a week physiotherapy in reducing average length of stay and attaining functional goals sooner for certain diagnostic subgroups. With a larger study, benefits may be demonstrated for a wider range of patients. To maximise the benefits of 7 day a week physiotherapy, organisational delays to discharge need to be minimised.