• Renata A Jones, Sarah Merkle, Lynze Ruvalcaba, Pippin Ashton, Casey Bailey, and Mary Lopez.
• Department of Quality and Performance Excellence, PIH Health Hospital, Whittier, California.
• J Nurs Care Qual. 2020 Jan 1; 35 (1): 20-26.

BackgroundHospitalized medical-surgical patients are at risk for adverse health outcomes due to immobility. Despite well-documented consequences, low mobility is prevalent.Local ProblemIn a 547-bed hospital, medical-surgical patients were mobilized less frequently than expected. Physical therapists were inappropriately consulted 22% of the time for routine mobility of patients. A preimplementation survey of registered nurses indicated a lack of knowledge and confidence to safely mobilize patients.MethodsThis quality improvement project implemented a nurse-led mobility program in an effort to increase early mobilization, reduce physical therapy referrals for routine mobility, and reduce the sequelae of immobility.InterventionsThe Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool and standardized interventions were implemented on 5 medical-surgical units.ResultsPostimplementation, nurse-led patient mobilizations increased by 40%, inappropriate physical therapy orders decreased 14%, and no significant change in patient falls or pressure injuries was noted.ConclusionA nurse-led mobility program was effective in increasing safe, early mobilization of patients and improving the culture of mobility.

18 keywords...

hide…