Development, implementation, and evaluation of an early mobility protocol in a regional level II trauma center

Catherine A. McCarty, Colleen M. Renier, Pat G. Conway, Linda Vogel, Theo A. Woehrle, Leslie A. Anderson, Eric J. Hanson, Lisa M. Benrud, Mary Gerchman-Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to develop and evaluate a collaborative nursing/therapist protocol for early mobility in a medical-surgical intensive care unit (MICU) in a regional level II trauma center. Data for patients in the MICU were compared for the periods August 3, 2015-August 2, 2016, and August 3, 2014-August 2, 2015. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 nurses and 1 therapist. Average MICU length of stay decreased from 3.81 to 3.50 days (P =.057). Mean time in mobility chairs did not change (0.12 days vs 0.11 days, P =.389). Mean number of days to first documented level 2-5 activity decreased significantly, from 1.81 to 1.51 days (P =.036). The percentage of hospitalizations with any documented level 3 or 4 activity increased significantly (from 3.8% to 7.4% and from 61.5% to 66.7%, P =.003 and P =.031, respectively). Barriers/challenges to implementation included having enough people to assist, space, documentation, having to coax the physician to place order for upright mobility, availability of therapists for later stages of protocol, patient variability, fear of patient falls, availability of therapy chairs, staff changes, time, and patient refusal. A multidisciplinary approach to protocol development for early mobility in an intensive care unit was successfully implemented at a regional level II trauma center.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)83-87
Number of pages5
JournalCritical Care Nursing Quarterly
Volume45
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The project was supported in part by a grant from the Essentia Health Duluth Clinic Foundation.

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • APACHE
  • Early mobility
  • ICU
  • Multidisciplinary
  • Protocol
  • Trauma center

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Development, implementation, and evaluation of an early mobility protocol in a regional level II trauma center'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this