Gabele, Danielle DNP, RN, CENP; Mendez, Sheriee DNPc, MSN, FNP, PHN, HACP; Giuliano, Karen K. PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN
Nursing Management (Springhouse) ():10.1097/01.NUMA.0000919068.76409.b2, February 15, 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000919068.76409.b2
Early mobility (EM) programs have been recognized for improving nurse-sensitive patient outcomes, but implementation varies across organizations. One community hospital implemented a formal EM program that incorporated the use of trained mobility technicians, an established safe patient handling program, and a novel enhanced Bedside Mobility Assessment Tool (BMAT) to understand its impact on patient outcomes and staff workflow.1,2 Postintervention reductions in patient falls, heel and sacral pressure injuries, and patient-handling–related caregiver injuries suggest that this new model is a strong example of a successful EM program in a small institution.
Background
EM is defined as patient activity, including both passive and active movement, that's initiated shortly after patient admission or mechanical ventilation. Literature promoting EM as a safe and feasible intervention grew in the early 2000s and recent studies continue to demonstrate the many positive effects of mobilizing patients early and often.3,4 Data support numerous benefits of formal EM programs, including reductions in patient length of stay (LOS), delirium, pressure injuries, and functional mobility decline during acute care hospitalization.5-7
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