Culture of early mobility in mechanically ventilated patients

Crit Care Med. 2009 Oct;37(10 Suppl):S429-35. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181b6e227.

Abstract

Physical deconditioning and prolonged motor weakness accompanying critical illness have profound and lasting consequences for both patients and their informal caregivers. The etiology is multifactorial and the effects may be mitigated by an early mobility process. Early mobility is facilitated by change in intensive care unit culture that requires clinicians to: 1) reorganize and manage current practices that have the potential to interfere with mobility; 2) create a strategy to improve the level of teamwork; and 3) link effective practice intervention and teamwork with short- and long-term patient-centered outcomes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Critical Care / methods
  • Critical Illness / rehabilitation*
  • Early Ambulation / methods*
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units / organization & administration*
  • Length of Stay
  • Muscle Weakness / therapy
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Patient Care Team / organization & administration*
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care
  • Ventilator Weaning / methods