NURSES

ICU nurses are often the first to see immobility-related changes in a patient’s condition such as:

• Muscle loss
• Ventilator-acquired illnesses
• Pressure sores

Nurses can also improve patient outcomes by initiating early mobility, which can reduce patient time on a ventilator and length of ICU stay.^1,([FOOTNOTE=Morris PE, Goad A, Thompson C, et al. Early intensive care unit mobility therapy in the treatment of acute respiratory failure. Crit Care Med. 2008;36(8):2238–2243. doi: 10.1097/CCM.Ob013e318180b90e.],[ANCHOR=],[LINK=])

ICU nurses have several tools at their fingertips to help ensure patient safety. Using standard neurological and physical assessments, they can:

• Assess sedation and pain levels
• Implement sedation “vacations” to prepare patients for mobility
• Determine a patient’s readiness for movement

A lack of human resources represents a major barrier to early mobility programs.² Certified nursing assistants can fill that gap by:

• Helping with patient surveillance
• Moving/lifting patients
• Managing line and drain integrity during mobility sessions

In addition to speaking up for their patients, nurses play a vital role in changing ICU practice and culture. Through their advocacy, they can help overcome many of the barriers that prevent early mobility, including lack of time, resources, and education.