Early Mobilization and Prolonged ICU Stay in Postoperative Patients

This prospective observational cohort study aims to evaluate early mobilization in adult postoperative patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and to investigate its association with short-term clinical outcomes. Early meaningful mobilization is defined as achieving at least sitting at the edge of the bed (mobilization level ≥4) within the first 24 hours after ICU admission. Patients will be classified according to whether early meaningful mobilization is achieved. The primary objective is to evaluate the association between early meaningful mobilization and prolonged ICU stay. Secondary outcomes include mechanical ventilation requirement and duration, hospital length of stay, need for reintubation, development of delirium, complications occurring during mobilization, and ICU mortality.