The Effect of Early Postoperative Physical Activity on Tissue Oxygen and Wound Healing

Effectiveness of Lower-Extremity Electrical Stimulation to Improve Skin Perfusion

BACKGROUND

Although numerous studies suggest the benefit of electrical stimulation (E-Stim) therapy to accelerate wound healing, the underlying mechanism of action is still debated. In this pilot study, we examined the potential effectiveness of lower-extremity E-Stim therapy to improve tissue perfusion in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

METHODS

Thirty-eight patients with diabetic foot ulcers underwent 60 min of active E-Stim therapy on acupuncture points above the level of the ankle joint using a bioelectric stimulation technology platform. Perfusion changes in response to E-Stim were assessed by measuring skin perfusion pressure (SPP) at baseline and during 30 and 60 min of therapy; retention was assessed 10 min after therapy. Tissue oxygen saturation (SatO2) was measured using a noninvasive near-infrared camera.

RESULTS

Skin perfusion pressure increased in response to E-Stim therapy (P = .02), with maximum improvement observed at 60 min (11%; P = .007) compared with baseline; SPP reduced 10 min after therapy but remained higher than baseline (9%; P = .1). Magnitude of improvement at 60 min was negatively correlated with baseline SPP values (r = -0.45; P = .01), suggesting that those with lower perfusion could benefit more from E-Stim therapy. Similar trends were observed for SatO2, with statistically significant improvement for a subsample (n = 16) with moderate-to-severe peripheral artery disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides early results on the feasibility and effectiveness of E-Stim therapy to improve skin perfusion and SatO2. The magnitude of benefit is higher in those with poorer skin perfusion. Also, the effects of E-Stim could be washed out after stopping therapy, and regular daily application might be required for effective benefit in wound healing.

Successful outcome of early ambulation after extensive skin grafting in extramammary Paget's disease

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is a rare cutaneous malignancy that mainly affects the senior population. There is a relatively high risk of postoperative complications from surgery in the senior population, such as disuse syndrome, deep vein thrombosis and postoperative delirium. To prevent such postoperative complications, early ambulation is recommended. However, EMPD often requires extensive skin grafting because of the need for a large resection margin. To avoid skin graft failure, many institutions require that patients have several days of postoperative bedrest. For these reasons, there has been no consensus on standard postoperative rest for EMPD. In this study, we defined 20 patients who walked from the day after surgery as an "early ambulation group" and 23 patients with 5 days postoperative bedrest as a "control group". We evaluated the skin graft survival, postoperative complications and the duration of hospitalization for both groups. Skin graft survival and complications related to the surgical wounds (infection and hemorrhage) in the early ambulation group were found to be comparable with those in the control group. Of note, the other complications (aspiration pneumonia, ileus, delirium, orthostatic hypotension and insomnia) were less frequent (P < 0.001) and the duration of postoperative hospitalization was shorter (P = 0.013) in the early ambulation group than in the control group. Our study suggests that early ambulation after surgery for EMPD does not impair skin graft survival but reduces postoperative complications and the duration of hospitalization.

Timing of rehabilitation on length of stay and cost in patients with hip or knee joint arthroplasty: A systematic review with meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of early initiation of rehabilitation on length of stay (LOS) and cost following total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

DATA SOURCES

Electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, Pedro, Embase, AMED, and the Cochrane Library were searched in July 2016. Five additional trials were identified through reference list scanning.

STUDY SELECTION

Eligible studies were published in English language peer-reviewed journals; included participants that had undergone total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty reported clearly defined timing of rehabilitation onset for at least two groups; and reported at least one measure of LOS or cost. Inclusion criteria were applied by 2 independent authors, with disagreements being determined by a third author. Searching identified 1,029 potential articles, of which 17 studies with 26,614 participants met the inclusion criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data was extracted independently by 2 authors, with disagreements being determined by a third author. Methodological quality of each study was evaluated independently by 2 authors using the Downs and Black checklist. Pooled analyses were analyzed using a random-effects model with inverse variance methods to calculate standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals for LOS.

DATA SYNTHESIS

When compared with standard care, early initiation of physical therapy demonstrated a decrease in length of stay for the 4 randomized clinical trials (SMD = -1.90; 95% CI -2.76 to -1.05; I2 = 93%) and for the quasi-experimental and 5 prospective studies (SMD = -1.47; 95% CI -1.85 to -1.10; I2 = 88%).

CONCLUSION

Early initiation of rehabilitation following total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is associated with a shorter LOS, a lower overall cost, with no evidence of an increased number of adverse reactions. Additional high quality studies with standardized methodology are needed to further examine the impact of early initiation of physical therapy among patients with joint replacement procedures.

Missed nursing care and predicting factors in the Italian medical care setting

Missed nursing care (MNC), such as nursing care omitted or delayed, has not been measured in the Italian context where several cost containment interventions affect the care offered in medical units. The aim of the study is to identify the amount, type, and reasons for MNC in the Italian medical care setting and to explore the factors that affect the occurrence of MNC. A 3-month longitudinal survey was carried out followed by a cross-sectional study design in 12 north eastern acute medical units. A total of 314 nursing staff members were involved. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the predictors of MNC. Patient ambulation (91.4 %), turning the patient every 2 h (74.2 %), and right timing in administering medications (64.6 %) were the most perceived MNC. Among the most frequent reasons were the unexpected rise in patient volume or critical conditions (95.2 %), inadequate numbers of staff (94.9 %), and large numbers of admissions/discharges (93.3 %). The R (2) 33.2 % of the variance in MNC were explained by a full-time position (OR 4.743, 95 % CI 1.146-19.629), communication tensions between Registered Nurses and Nurses' Aides (OR 1.601, 95 % CI 1.020-2.515), the amount of experience in medical unit (OR 1.564, 95 % CI 1.021-2.397), and the amount of daily care offered by Nurses' Aides (1.039, 95 % CI 1.011-1.067). A substantial amount of basic and clinically relevant nursing interventions was perceived to be missed, and this may lead to an increase in negative outcomes for patients admitted to a medical unit. Appropriate standards of nursing care should be adopted urgently in medical units aiming to protect frail patients.

Early mobilization of patients who have had a hip or knee joint replacement reduces length of stay in hospital: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the effect of early mobilization after hip or knee joint replacement surgery on length of stay in an acute hospital.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials were selected from electronic databases based on inclusion criterion requiring an experimental group mobilizing (sitting out of bed/walking) earlier than a comparison group post joint replacement surgery of the hip or knee in an acute hospital. Clinically homogeneous data were analyzed with meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Five randomized controlled trials (totaling 622 participants) were included for review. A meta-analysis of 5 trials found a reduced length of stay of 1.8 days (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 2.6) in favor of the experimental group. In 4 of the 5 trials the experimental group first sat out of bed within 24 hours post operatively. In 4 of the 5 trials the experimental group first walked within 48 hours post operatively. Individual trials reported benefits in range of motion, muscle strength and health-related quality of life in favor of the experimental group. There were no differences in discharge destinations, incidence of negative outcomes or adverse events attributable to early mobilization when compared to the comparison groups.

CONCLUSION

Early mobilization post hip or knee joint replacement surgery can result in a reduced length of stay of about 1.8 days. Trials that reported these positive results showed that early mobilization can be achieved within 24 hours of operation. This positive gain was achieved without an increase in negative outcomes.

Safety of mobilizing hospitalized adults: review of the literature

This article examines literature that provides evidence about the safety of mobilizing hospitalized adults. A search of electronic databases and hand searches yielded 24 studies that were included in the review. Evidence of mobilization safety was found in 4 clinical settings (medical, surgical, cardiac procedure, and intensive care), and the findings from these studies suggest that early mobilization of hospitalized adults is safe.

Hospital variation in missed nursing care

Quality of nursing care across hospitals is variable, and this variation can result in poor patient outcomes. One aspect of quality nursing care is the amount of necessary care that is omitted. This article reports on the extent and type of nursing care missed and the reasons for missed care. The MISSCARE Survey was administered to nursing staff (n = 4086) who provide direct patient care in 10 acute care hospitals. Missed nursing care patterns as well as reasons for missing care (labor resources, material resources, and communication) were common across all hospitals. Job title (ie, registered nurse vs nursing assistant), shift worked, absenteeism, perceived staffing adequacy, and patient work loads were significantly associated with missed care. The data from this study can inform quality improvement efforts to reduce missed nursing care and promote favorable patient outcomes.

Do staffing levels predict missed nursing care?

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether actual nurse staffing predicts missed nursing care, controlling for other unit characteristics.

DESIGN

This study utilized a cross-sectional, descriptive design.

SETTING

Ten hospitals in the Midwestern region of the USA.

PARTICIPANTS

Nursing staff members with direct care responsibilities (n = 4288) on 110 care units.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The MISSCARE Survey was utilized to capture respondents' perceptions of missed nursing care as well as other unit characteristics (i.e. demographics, work schedules and absenteeism). Actual staffing data (hours per patient day [HPPD], registered nurse hours per patient day [RN HPPD], skill mix) and unit level case mix index were collected from the participating hospitals for the mean scores of 2 months during survey distribution.

RESULTS

HPPD was a significant predictor of missed nursing care (β = -0.45, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study suggest that missed nursing care may explain, at least in part, the relationship between staffing levels and patient outcomes.

Evaluation of cellular wound healing using flow cytometry and expanded polytetrafluroethylene implants

In wound healing studies that investigate therapeutic interventions, it is important to characterize cellular responses. In a randomized trial enrolling patients at risk for surgical infection, one goal is to phenotype cells within a polytetrafluoroethylene implant using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, together with standard hematoxylin- and eosin-based histology. Subcutaneous implants are removed 8-9 days postoperatively. To obtain single cells associated with the mechanism of wound healing, we initially used a mouse skin digestion protocol. We optimized this to increase the cell yield and isolate sufficient cells for flow cytometry. The modifications increased the total cells recovered per subject from an average of 5.3 x 10(4)-41 x 10(4) with an average viability of 80%. The immunoflourescent staining assay was verified for our samples, which have smaller cell sample numbers than tissue biopsies. Thirty-two samples were stained. Cells from the polytetrafluoroethylene tubes were isolated and stained positively with fluorescent-labeled antibodies to CD3, CD20, CD31, CD34, CD68, CD133, and VEGF receptor type 2. Flow cytometry data correlated with immunohistochemistry data especially with respect to CD68. This antigen was the most prevalent in both the cell analysis methods. Our findings demonstrate that flow cytometry can be used with polytetrafluoroethylene samples as an additional evaluation method to document and describe cellular wound healing responses.

Missed nursing care: a concept analysis

AIM

This paper is a report of the analysis of the concept of missed nursing care.

BACKGROUND

According to patient safety literature, missed nursing care is an error of omission. This concept has been conspicuously absent in quality and patient safety literature, with individual aspects of nursing care left undone given only occasional mention.

METHOD

An 8-step method of concept analysis - select concept, determine purpose, identify uses, define attributes, identify model case, describe related and contrary cases, identify antecedents and consequences and define empirical referents - was used to examine the concept of missed nursing care. The sources for the analysis were identified by systematic searches of the World Wide Web, MEDLINE, CINAHL and reference lists of related journal articles with a timeline of 1970 to April 2008.

FINDINGS

Missed nursing care, conceptualized within the Missed Nursing Care Model, is defined as any aspect of required patient care that is omitted (either in part or in whole) or delayed. Various attribute categories reported by nurses in acute care settings contribute to missed nursing care: (1) antecedents that catalyse the need for a decision about priorities; (2) elements of the nursing process and (3) internal perceptions and values of the nurse. Multiple elements in the nursing environment and internal to nurses influence whether needed nursing care is provided.

CONCLUSION

Missed care as conceptualized within the Missed Care Model is a universal phenomenon. The concept is expected to occur across all cultures and countries, thus being international in scope.

Analysis of bedside entertainment services' effect on post cardiac surgery physical activity: a prospective, randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND

A rising number of acute hospitals in the UK have been providing patients with bedside entertainment services (BES) since 1995. However, their effect on postoperative patient mobility has not been explored.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this prospective randomised clinical trial was to compare the level of postoperative physical activity and length of in-hospital stay of patients undergoing cardiac surgery depending on whether they had access to BES or not.

METHODS

One hundred patients requiring elective cardiac surgery were randomised to receive access to BES (52 patients) or not (48 patients). Pedometers were used to quantify postoperative physical activity for 5 days. To assess the significance of the effect of intervention (TV off or on) on the pedometer counts over time a mixed effect Poisson regression model is used, with the time varying aspect as random component. The potential influence of gender difference and age on pedometer counts were assessed by incorporating these two factors as covariates in the Poisson model.

RESULTS

On average, patients with no access to BES walked more than those with BES access. This difference ranged between 192 and 609 steps in favour of the first group for each individual postoperative day. Patients with no access to BES were 84% more likely (risk ratio: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.29-2.63) to walk higher number of steps than patients with access to BES. On average, participants with access to BES were likely to stay longer in hospital (median of 7 days with interquartile range 6-7 days), than participants with no access to BES (median of 6 days with interquartile range 5-7 days), however the difference did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

We have demonstrated that the bedside entertainment systems may have an adverse effect on post cardiac surgery patient ambulation and may contribute to an increase in hospital stay.

Missed nursing care: a qualitative study

The purpose of this study was to determine nursing care regularly missed on medical-surgical units and reasons for missed care. Nine elements of regularly missed nursing care (ambulation, turning, delayed or missed feedings, patient teaching, discharge planning, emotional support, hygiene, intake and output documentation, and surveillance) and 7 themes relative to the reasons for missing this care were reported by nursing staff.