Why do you think it is generally accepted medical practice to get bedridden patients up and walking as soon as possible?
The longer you are bedridden, the more muscle tone and flexibility you lose. The sooner you get out of bed, the shorter your recovery time is. If the patient had joint surgery, getting up and moving ensure that they will be able to regain full or close to full range of motion in the joint. For general surgery, the risk of blood clots grows higher the longer the patient stays in bed.
Medical Practice to get bedridden patients up?
Posted By admin On February 10th 2010. Under Medical Practice .
The longer you are bedridden, the more muscle tone and flexibility you lose. The sooner you get out of bed, the shorter your recovery time is. If the patient had joint surgery, getting up and moving ensure that they will be able to regain full or close to full range of motion in the joint. For general surgery, the risk of blood clots grows higher the longer the patient stays in bed.
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Getting up as soon as possible reduces your risk for developing pneumonia since it increases circulation and respiration. The increased oxygen supply from the exercise helps the cells to heal faster and reduces risk of infection by supplying much needed oxygen and nutrients to the wound. By maintaining muscle strength and integrity you heal faster and go home sooner. As a rehab nurse I saw first hand the benefits of getting patients up sometimes within hours after surgery.
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