Mobilization in the ICU

Hello all,
I often run into difficulty encouraging nurses to transfer their ICU patients to a stretcher-chair in lieu of 'chair-bed' position. While this is most often related to a lack of initiative on the part of the nurses - they are also under the belief that chair-bed position has equal benefits to mobilization out of bed. I am currently searching for literature supporting the role of early mobilization of patients in the ICU which I may be able to present to the nursing staff. I would appreciate any suggestions re: literature titles or authors which may be related to this topic.
Thanks,
Cathy

hello cathy , what type of patients are u talking about can u b a bit more specific.

I work in a Neuro Surgical unit that also accepts General Medical Surgical patients as well.

Hi,
as part of my previous job, I have written a guideline on mobilisations of medical/ surgical patients in an ICU (in the late 90s). Unfortunately, that guideline was written and saved at my work computer, and I haven't got it.
However, there was heaps of literature about it in Medline and CANAHL.
Have you tried a search "mobilisation", "intensive care", +/- "Nursing"/ "Physiotherapy"/ "Physical Therapy" ?
Early mobilisation has lots of proven benefits and it should be part of the nursing daily plan. Physio only has got the minor role of assistance with mobilisation in case of an actual problem with the mobilisation.
Good luck,
Fyzzio

I know I'm a little late to add to this discussion, but I am attaching the info for several articles that discuss mobilization in the ICU.

-Milbrandt EB. One small step for man ...Crit Care Med. 2007; 35:311-2.

-HopkinsRO, Spuhler VJ, Thomsen GE. Transforming ICU Culture to Facilitate Mobility. Critical Care Clinics 2007. Vol. 23. Issue 1. 81-96

-Perme C, Chandrashekar R. Early Mobility and Walking Program for Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: Creating a Standard of Care. American Journal of Critical Care. 2009

-Dean E. Mobilizing patients in the ICU: Evidence and Principles of Practice. Acute Care Perspectives. Spring 2008, Vol 17, Number 1, 1-9

I hope this helps. I have worked in ICU's where aggressive mobilization is a rarity, and other hospitals where it is the norm. There is no comparison- patients do much better when early and consistent mobility is facilitated in the ICU.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Physiokbos

I know I'm a little late to add to this discussion, but I am attaching the info for several articles that discuss mobilization in the ICU.

-Milbrandt EB. One small step for man ...Crit Care Med. 2007; 35:311-2.

-HopkinsRO, Spuhler VJ, Thomsen GE. Transforming ICU Culture to Facilitate Mobility. Critical Care Clinics 2007. Vol. 23. Issue 1. 81-96

-Perme C, Chandrashekar R. Early Mobility and Walking Program for Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: Creating a Standard of Care. American Journal of Critical Care. 2009

-Dean E. Mobilizing patients in the ICU: Evidence and Principles of Practice. Acute Care Perspectives. Spring 2008, Vol 17, Number 1, 1-9

I hope this helps. I have worked in ICU's where aggressive mobilization is a rarity, and other hospitals where it is the norm. There is no comparison- patients do much better when early and consistent mobility is facilitated in the ICU.

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Thanks you for the post.
Hi guys, Im a newbie. Nice to join this forum.