194 Weekend warrior: a structured self-directed physiotherapy exercise programme that enhances weekend exercise in older persons inpatient rehabilitation

• Published in: Age and ageing 2023-09, Vol.52 (Supplement_3)
• Main Authors: Cusack, G, McDonnell, I, O'Quigley, K, Gilheany, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cost analysis; Critical incidents; Exercise; Health care; Inpatient care; Intervention; Length of stay; Mobility; Older people; Patient admissions; Physical therapy; Physiotherapy; Polls & surveys; Quality control; Quality management; Quality of life; Recovery of function; Rehabilitation; Self evaluation; Surveys; Walking; Workloads
• ISSN: 0002-0729; 1468-2834
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afad156.169

Abstract Background Strength and mobility exercise improve functional recovery in older persons rehabilitation. Internal audits and patient feedback show that exercise levels are lower on weekends where no physiotherapy service is available. Weekend physiotherapy intervention reduces length of stay in older persons rehabilitation. Additional interventions may be cost-effective, improve function and quality of life on discharge. This quality improvement project investigates the effect of a structured, self-directed weekend exercise programme on perceived exercise levels and satisfaction with weekend exercise levels. This project also investigates the workload of the programme for ward staff. Methods Surveys were completed after patients’ first weekend of admission. Patients self-reported time spent exercising at the weekend and their satisfaction. Weekend Warrior programmes (WWP) were given on week two of admission. Programmes matched manual handling guidelines with a traffic light system (seated = red, standing independently = amber, walking independently = green). Patients completed follow-up surveys after completing 3–4 weeks of WWP. Surveys were given to healthcare assistants to assess WWP workload burden. Results Before completing WWP, patients’ (n = 23) self-assessed exercise times were: 0-10mins exercise n = 8;10-20mins n = 7; 20-30mins n = 6 and > 40mins n = 2. N = 9 reported satisfactory exercise levels on weekends. After completing WWP, patients (n = 17) self-assessed exercise times were: 0-10mins n = 1; 10-20mins n = 11 and 20-30mins n = 5. N = 11 reported satisfactory exercise levels on weekends. N = 14 patients enjoyed participating in WWP. All staff (n = 6) reported that WWP did not significantly increase workload burden and supported the programme’s continuation. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion Weekend Warrior structured, self-directed exercise programme is safe and feasible in this setting. Patients reported enjoying WWP. This programme did not additional workload burden for ward staff.