The lack of early ambulation after a total knee or hip arthroplasty places patients at a higher risk for postoperative complications and an increased hospital length of stay. This quality improvement project proposes to pilot the implementation of a nursing best-practice protocol utilizing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) to promote early mobilization of patients following knee or hip arthroplasty. In collaboration with key stakeholders, a nursing policy and protocol checklist will be developed and implemented on a single orthopedic unit. Nurses will be provided with in-service education and training on the early mobilization policy and protocol. Compliance and accuracy of nurses completing the early mobilization checklist will be analyzed at two weeks and again at four weeks, allowing for any necessary changes to the checklist or the need for further education and training by the nursing staff. The integration of this protocol on early mobilization is intended to prevent postoperative complications and promote optimal patient functionality, recovery, and outcomes.
