Fitbit for Postoperative Ambulation

Early mobilization after surgery has been shown to reduce recovery time, incidence of venous
thromboembolism, length of hospital stay and both pulmonary and general post-operative
complications. Ambulation is also a main tenant of a fast-track recovery protocol known as
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), which is commonly used among colorectal surgical
practices and being implanted across other surgical practices. Despite evidence supporting
its benefit, early ambulation has been identified as the one of the most difficult clinical
interventions to enforce and to measure.

The primary objective of this trial is to investigate whether the use of wireless activity
tracking device (Fitbit) with 5 daily reminder alarms will increase daily ambulation on
postoperative day 0 until post operative day 9 or hospital discharge (whichever occurs
first). Secondary objectives include evaluating the effect of Fitbit as a motivating factor
on the frequency of postoperative ileus, time to return of bowel function, number of venous
thromboembolism (VTE), pneumonia (PNA) and other pulmonary complications, number of code
Medical Emergency Team (MET) alerts, and overall cost saving.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Undergoing an elective surgical procedure in colorectal services at Emory University
Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

- Post-surgical admission into the intensive care unit (ICU)

- Have an open abdomen due to surgical complications

- Wound Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) dependent