IMPACT OF EARLY PHYSIOTHERAPY INTERVENTION SUPPORTED BY NURSING AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS IN POST-SURGICAL PATIENTS
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Keywords
Early physiotherapy, postoperative recovery, multidisciplinary care, nursing, EMT, functional independence, complications.
Abstract
Background: Postoperative recovery is often hindered by delayed mobilization, leading to increased complication rates and prolonged hospital stays. While early physiotherapy has shown promise, limited studies have evaluated its impact when integrated with support from nursing staff and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of early physiotherapy intervention, supported by a multidisciplinary team, in improving postoperative outcomes compared to standard care. Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted across five hospitals in Saudi Arabia involving 326 adult patients undergoing elective abdominal, orthopedic, or cardiothoracic surgeries. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either early physiotherapy within 6–12 hours post-surgery supported by nurses and EMTs, or conventional physiotherapy initiated after 48–72 hours. Primary outcomes included Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores and hospital length of stay. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity (VAS), pulmonary complications, and 30-day readmission. Results: The early intervention group demonstrated significantly higher FIM scores at day 7 and day 30 (p < 0.001) and a reduced average hospital stay (4.9 vs. 6.1 days, p < 0.001). Pain scores were consistently lower, and the incidence of pulmonary complications was notably reduced (4.8% vs. 11.2%). No major adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Early physiotherapy, when delivered in a coordinated framework involving nursing and EMT support, leads to faster functional recovery, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays. These findings support the inclusion of multidisciplinary early mobilization protocols in routine surgical care to enhance outcomes and healthcare efficiency.
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