Early mobility matters

Immobility due to critical illness or injury can put patients at risk for a variety of complications^{1 2}

• Delirium
• Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
• ICU acquired weakness
• Pressure ulcers

Recently, three prominent societies have released guidelines and practice alerts recommending the use of early mobility:

1. Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)³,
2. American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)⁴, and
3. American Nurses Association (ANA)⁵

Also guidelines have been released in other countries outside of the US regarding this topic.

Early mobility protocols may help counter the onset of these and other complications.^{6 7 8 9} In fact, many clinicians have started to use bundles like the ABCDE bundle, as a way to sustainably improve patient outcomes.^{10 11 12}

These protocols and technologies have even been shown to have a positive impact on hospital financials because of shortened length of stay and/or fewer expensive complications.¹³

You may be asking yourself "If this is all true, how do I get started in my ICU?" That's where we can help. We’ve designed a Progressive Mobility® Program to make it easier for you to implement an early mobility protocol. It's built on the most recent clinical evidence, checked by national thought leaders, and provides the practical tools you need to get your patients moving.

Find out more about the Progressive Mobility® Program

References »