Early mobilisation has been shown to be both safe and feasible for patients admitted to critical care1.
Early mobilisation of critically ill patients has been associated with a lot of benefits, such as improved muscle strength, and reduced hospital length of stay – just to name a few. Not to mention the equally important motivational factors for both the patients and caregivers.
A crucial step towards recovery
Did you know that critically ill patients experience a reduction of muscle strength of up to 40% in the first week of immobility?2 Also, immobility of the human body is heavily associated with sleep deprivation3 and cognitive dysfunction4 as well as a substantial decrease in heart stroke volume5. Needless to say, we believe early mobilisation is a vital part of any ICU rehabilitation program.
We've gathered clinical evidence from leading experts in Early Mobility about the impact of prolonged immobility, why and how to practice in-bed as well as out-of-bed mobilisation, and a lot more in this critical area. Fill out the form to download the paper.
COVID-19 susceptibility
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on ICUs worldwide with increased pressure on intensive care environments, as many people recovering from COVID-19 require highly demanding, around-the-clock treatment for an extended period of time.
The excessive degree of immobility during this time is a prominent risk factor for several key bodily functions and organs.
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, we are monitoring developments closely and taking relevant preventive measures to manage the situation in the best way possible6. We are also following all relevant recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the management of COVID-19 patients7. These recommendations stress the importance of actively mobilising ICU patients as early as realistically possible – without compromising patient safety and treatment quality.
1 Cooper AB, Thornley KS, Young GB, et al. Sleep in critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation Chest. 2000; 117(3):809-18
2 Topp R, et al. The effect of bed rest and potential of prehabilitation on patients in the intensive care unit. AACN Clin Issues. 2002;13(2):14
3 Cooper AB, Thornley KS, Young GB, et al. Sleep in critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation Chest. 2000; 117(3):809-18
4 Pandharipande PP, Girard TD, Jackson JC, et al. Long-Term Cognitive Impairment after Critical Illness. N Engl J Med 2013; 369:1306-1316
5 Convertino V, et al. Cardiovascular responses to exercise in middle-aged men after 10 days of bed rest. Circulation. 1982;65(1):134–40
6 https://www.arjo.com/int/covid-19-resource-center
7 https://www.arjo.com/int/covid-19-company-update
