To evaluate the association between postoperative step counts and surgical recovery outcomes, including length of stay, complications, and readmissions.
Key Findings:
Higher postoperative step counts were linked to shorter hospital stays.
Each additional 1,000 steps per day correlated with a 6% reduction in length of stay.
Patients with increased activity had lower odds of 30- and 90-day complications and readmissions.
Postoperative step counts declined by a mean of 1,428 steps per day relative to baseline.
Interpretation:
Postoperative activity serves as a reliable predictor of recovery, with higher step counts associated with improved outcomes, particularly in high-risk surgical patients.
Limitations:
The observational nature of the study prevents establishing causality.
Wearable data collection lacked a standardized protocol.
Patients readmitted had significantly fewer days of wearable data, potentially introducing bias.
Conclusion:
Postoperative activity is an actionable predictor of recovery, linked to shorter length of stay and fewer complications, warranting further investigation.
