Inactivity and immobility in critical care can result in medical complications, many of which prolong hospital stays and increase the time it takes for a patient to return to previous functional status. Neuromuscular weakness has been associated with prolonged ventilation time, increased hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays, and poor quality of life for survivors. The American Association of Critical Care Nurses, AACN, has recognized the association between immobility and poor patient outcomes. Promoting early mobilization of ventilated patients can decrease complications like weakness and poor rehabilitation potential. The purpose of this project was to improve identification of patients who may benefit from early mobilization thus shortening the time interval from intubation to initiation of mobility.
