Background: Research suggests that ambulation in hospital settings can help prevent functional decline in patients. Early ambulation also contributes to better patient outcomes and decreased length of stay. The purpose of this study is to investigate patient perspectives to learn about factors that influence early ambulation and recommended amount of ambulation while in the hospital. [...]

Background: Clinical practice guidelines state that mobility is supposed to play an important role in determining use and duration of pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis. This study examines whether measured mobility levels relate to pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis use among hospitalized older adults. Methods: Prospective observational data from a sample of community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 60 years, [...]

Background: Few studies have demonstrated effective hospital mobility programs, despite the overwhelming evidence that hospital mobility leads to better patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to explore factors that contribute to whether or not patients move their recommended amounts while in the hospital. Methods: A convenience sample of 6 acute care nurses completed [...]

Background: Lack of mobility in the inpatient hospital setting hastens functional decline in elderly patients and is associated with increased risk of complications such as falls, delirium, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and skin breakdown. These adverse outcomes drive increased cost as patients spend additional time in both the acute and post-acute care settings. Physical activity is [...]

Background: The benefits of early ambulation for patients admitted to a hospital are well recognized. Our hospital has a “Nurse Driven Progressive Mobility Protocol” which is intended to guide bedside practitioners in implementing individualized progressive mobility for patients and includes several items that nurses are required to document. It categorizes patients into 5 mobility levels; [...]