Early mobility in the ICU

PT/OT Part 2: Implementing Early Mobility: The Way of the Future November 04, 2020 by Lori Potts, PT
An elderly woman walking in a Rifton TRAM with the assistance of a caretaker
Many patients returning home after being hospitalized for severe respiratory failure, such as those recovering from COVID-19, are now confronting significant physical, neurological, cognitive and emotional issues. To describe this wide variety of challenges, experts use the term “post-intensive care syndrome” or PICS.
PT/OT Part 1: Understanding the Negative Impact of Prolonged ICU Care October 20, 2020 by Lori Potts, PT
An elderly man stepping out of a wheelchair into a Rifton TRAM with the assistance of a caretaker
Serious adverse health outcomes result directly from prolonged ICU stays. With the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to understand the negative health impacts of hospitalization. Early mobilization and rehabilitation interventions have the potential to mitigate these conditions.
Evidence Based Practice Don’t Be Afraid of Early Mobilization in Acute Brain Injury February 20, 2018 by Mary Beth Osborne, PT, DPT, NCS
A therapist helps a patient with brain injury in an early mobilization exercise in the ICU.
This article was originally written for Medbridge and is shared here with permission. People who suffer brain injuries require extensive medical care to preserve vital organ functions and prevent secondary injury. Physical therapists are in a unique position to positively influence the ultimate outcome for these individuals by simply providing early mobilization. Two studies provide support for early...
PT/OT Creative Mobility Technology for Improved Outcomes July 03, 2017 by Elena Noble, MPT
A man with disabilities sits on a red therapy ball while PT students demonstrate a creative mobility technique.
I recently attended the APTA Next Conference in Boston. A new component to this conference is the experience zone—an education space in the exhibit hall allowing presenters to draw on resources from the show floor as part of their presentations. A great idea. I attended a course called “Creative Mobility Technology for Improved Outcomes” in the zone. Here we learned to get the most...
Evidence Based Practice Evidence Update: Quicker Recovery with Early Movement July 13, 2015 by Elena Noble, MPT
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A recent study at Cleveland Clinic, a leading rehabilitation provider, found that patients participating in early mobility routines after neurological injury recovered quicker and went home earlier than those receiving standard care. NPR recently ran an excellent segment on this study providing good detail and anecdotes from the researchers illustrating how early mobilization is improving the...
Evidence Based Practice Evidence Update: Safe Patient Handling June 03, 2014 by Elena Noble, MPT
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As therapists working in acute care and rehab well know, safe patient handling (SPH) is becoming a widely accepted discipline. Advocating the use of lifts and additional equipment for patient transfers and gait training routines, the safe patient handling movement seeks to eliminate all unnecessary manual handling of patients. This is because statistics have clearly shown that work-related musculoskeletal...
PT/OT Rifton’s TRAM Competency Checklists May 27, 2014 by Clare Stober
Two therapists using SPHM technique aid a patient in a Rifton TRAM as they smile at the guide dog assisting them all
Safe Patient Handling and Movement (SPHM) is becoming a byword for safety in nursing and rehab. Healthcare organizations are increasingly recognizing the crucial importance of developing and implementing programs that maintain the well-being of both caregivers and clients. This is because nurses and therapists are repeatedly involved in assisting patients in transfers or ambulation tasks that, because of...
PT/OT Safe Patient Handling and Movement: Early Mobility in the ICU August 13, 2013 by Lori Potts, PT
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Early Mobility in the ICU and the Role of Therapists Early mobility in the intensive care unit is a hot topic for therapists working in acute care. Recently, with help from the ICU nursing staff, therapists have been assisting patients out of bed and in exercise and mobility routines earlier during their recovery than previously thought possible. Why? Because a growing body of evidence is pointing to the...
Evidence Based Practice Evidence Update: Early Mobility in the ICU March 26, 2013 by Elena Noble, MPT
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Since introducing our XL Pacer, TRAM, and E-Pacer we have been introduced to a growing body of clinicians who are active in early mobility, a practice that is becoming increasingly accepted and implemented in ICUs across the country. There is growing evidence showing that the provision of early ambulation support to critically ill and injured patients results in more favorable recovery outcomes as...
PT/OT In the Interest of Early Mobility August 07, 2012 by Elena Noble, MPT
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With the introduction of the Rifton TRAM and XL Pacer to the world of adults with disabilities, we have received a number of inquiries concerning the value of these products in the ICU and critical care settings. I don’t have all the answers, but here’s what I’ve found: Early ICU mobility is working its way into the research spotlight and being closely examined as a means to combat the...