Implementation and Assessment of the BE-FIT Program

Lengthy hospitalization and immobility can lead to muscle loss resulting in reduced recovery rates and prolonged hospital stay or readmission. Older adults discharged from hospitals are at an increased risk for functional decline, falls and disability. Daily exercise and physical activities have proven to enhance the recovery and discharge process for older patients from the hospital and ultimately save vast amounts of dollars each year. The aim of this study is to initiate early mobilization and decrease the rate of functional decline in post-surgical older adults' patients in the acute care hospital setting in Alberta, Canada. The investigators are implementing a BE-FIT (BEdside reconditioning for Functional ImprovemenTs) a quality improvement, evidence-based exercise program that focuses on early mobilization and recovery by minimizing bed rest, promoting functional tasks, and encouraging self-management. Patients enrolled in the program will receive a bedside exercise plan to be completed independently throughout their stay in the hospital. Control patients will receive usual care without the added exercise plan. Patient mobility during their hospital stay will be assessed pre and post BE-FIT initiation according to a predetermined mobility scoring system. Secondary outcomes will include: time-to-mobility, length of stay, complication incidence and hospitalization costs.

Inclusion Criteria: * age 65 or older * patients admitted to hospital for surgical procedures such as general surgical, urologic, otolaryngologic, and transplant surgery Exclusion Criteria: * non-index admissions (i.e., transferred from another inpatient service) * out-of-province * palliative surgery * multi-system trauma patients * patients with a Clinical Frailty Scale score ≥ 7