Real-time Location System Feasibility Study

Real-time Location System Feasibility Study Part 2

The proposed study will investigate the feasibility of using the Wake Forest Real-time Location System (RTLS) in monitoring patient movement during their in-hospital postoperative recovery. The study will involve patients who have undergone surgery requiring inpatient admission to the surgical ward. Actual patient movement will be monitored during their postoperative recovery and compared with data recorded by the Wake Forest location system.

In this small pilot study, a subgroup of participants will be randomized to two cohorts, continuous walking and interval walking. Tolerability of the varied walking intensity will be measured.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female patients between the ages of 18 and 90.
• Admitted to the Surgical Ward.
• Recovering from surgery.
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign an Institutional Review Board-approved informed consent document.
• Ability to understand and complete the study survey instruments in English.

Exclusion criteria

• Non-surgical patient.
• Emergency surgical procedure.
• Anticipated discharge less than 24 hour.
• Unable to ambulate or ambulation not permitted by treating provider.
• Unable to understand and complete the study survey instruments in English.
• Post-operative complications that in the opinion of the study investigator would impair the ability of the patient to adhere to the study procedures.