Early mobility matters
Immobility due to critical illness or injury can put patients at risk for a variety of complications1 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:
- Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)3,
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)4, and
- 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 »- Needham, D. Increasing physical function among patients in the ICU. JAMA. 2008;300(14):1685-1690
- Stiller, K. Physiotherapy in Intensive Care. A systematic review. CHEST. 2013
- Barr J, et al. Crit Care Med. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of pain, agitation and delirium in adult patients in the intensive care unit. 2013;41(1):263-306
- Bell, L. AACN Practice Alert. Delirium Assessment and Management. Issued online November 2011
- Matz, W et al, Safe patient handling and mobility. Interprofessional national standards. (Maryland: American Nurses Association, 2013)
- Vollman, K. Progressive mobile in the critically ill. Crit Care Nurse. 2010;30:S3-S5
- Morris, P. et al. Crit Care Med. 2008; 36:2238-2243
- Schweickert, WD et at. Lancet. Early physical and occupational therapy in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial. 2009;373:1874-1882
- Vasilevskis EE, et al. CHEST. Reducing latrogenic risks: ICU-acquired delirium and weakness – Crossing the quality chasm. 2010;138:1224-1233
- Balas M, et al. Crit Care Med. Safety and efficacy of the ABCDE bundle in critically-ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation. 2012;40 (suppl.)
- Bassett RD, et al. Inten Crit Care Nurs. Integrating a multidisciplinary mobility programme into intensive care practices (IMMPTP): a multicenter collaborative. 2012; 29:88-97
- Lord R, et al. Crit Care Med. ICU early physical rehabilitation programs: Financial modeling of cost savings. 2013; 41(3):717-724