Safety and feasibility of early mobilization in patients submitted to cardiac surgery using subxiphoid drain.

INTRODUCTION: Patients submitted to heart surgery are restricted to the bed of the Intensive Care Units (ICUs), due to this period of immobility the individual is likely to present clinical and functional alterations. These complications can be avoided by early mobilization; however, in some hospitals, this is not feasible due to the use of subxiphoid drain in the immediate postoperative period. OBJECTIVE: To verify the safety and feasibility of mobilizing patients after cardiac surgery using subxiphoid drain. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study. On the first day the patient was positioned in sedestration in bed, then transferred from sitting to orthostasis, gait training and sedestration in an armchair. On the second postoperative day the same activities were performed, but with walking through the ICU with a progressive increase in distance. At all these moments, the patient was using the subxiphoid and intercostal drain. The patients were seen three times a day, but physical rehabilitation was performed twice. The adverse events considered were drain obstruction, accidental removal or displacement, total atrioventricular block, postoperative low output syndrome, cardiorespiratory arrest, pneumomediastinum, infection, and pericardial or myocardial damage. RESULTS: 176 patients were evaluated. Only 2 (0.4 %) of the patients had complications during or after mobilization, 1 (0.2 %) due to drain obstruction and 1 (0.2 %) due to accidental removal or displacement. CONCLUSION: Based on the data observed in the results, we found that the application of early mobilization in patients using subxiphoid drain after cardiac surgery is a safe and feasible conduct.

Safety and practicality study of using an exoskeleton in acute neurosurgery patients.

INTRODUCTION: Early mobilization is key in neurologically impaired persons, limiting complications and improving long-term recovery. Self-balanced exoskeletons are used in rehabilitation departments to help patients stand and walk. We report the first case series of exoskeleton use in acute neurosurgery and intensive care patients, evaluating safety, clinical feasibility and patients' satisfaction. METHODS: We report a retrospective observational study including individuals hospitalized in the neurosurgical intensive care and neurosurgery departments. We included patients with a medical prescription for an exoskeleton session, and who met no contraindication. Patients benefited from standing sessions using a self-balanced exoskeleton (Atalante, Wandercraft, France). Patients and sessions data were collected. Safety, feasibility and adherence were evaluated. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were scheduled for 70 standing sessions, of which 27 (39%) were completed. They were typically hospitalized for intracranial hemorrhage (74%) and presented with unilateral motor impairments, able to stand but with very insufficient weight shifting to the hemiplegic limb, requiring support (MRC 36.2 ± 3.70, SPB 2.0 ± 1.3, SPD 0.7 ± 0.5). The average duration of standing sessions was 16 ± 9 min. The only side effect was orthostatic hypotension (18.5%), which resolved with returning to seating position. The most frequent reason for not completing a session was understaffing (75%). All patients were satisfied and expressed a desire to repeat it. CONCLUSIONS: Physiotherapy using the exoskeleton is safe and feasible in the acute neurosurgery setting, although it requires adaptation from the staff to organize the sessions. An efficacy study is ongoing to evaluate the benefits for the patients.

Smartfeeding: A Dynamic Strategy to Increase Nutritional Efficiency in Critically Ill Patients-Positioning Document of the Metabolism and Nutrition Working Group and the Early Mobilization Working Group of the Catalan Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine (SOCMiC).

Adequate medical nutrition therapy for critically ill patients has an impact on their prognoses. However, it requires an individualized approach that takes into account the activity (phases of metabolic stress) and particularity of these patients. We propose a comprehensive strategy considering the patients' nutritional status and the set of modifiable circumstances in these patients, in order to optimize/support nutritional efficiency: (1) A detailed anamnesis and an adequate initial nutritional assessment must be performed in order to implement medical nutrition therapy that is in line with the needs and characteristics of each patient. Furthermore, risks associated with refeeding syndrome, nutritrauma or gastrointestinal dysfunction must be considered and prevented. (2) A safe transition between nutrition therapy routes and between health care units will greatly contribute to recovery. The main objective is to preserve lean mass in critically ill patients, considering metabolic factors, adequate protein intake and muscle stimulation. (3) Continuous monitoring is required for the successful implementation of any health strategy. We lack precise tools for calculating nutritional efficiency in critically ill patients, therefore thorough monitoring of the process is essential. (4) The medical nutrition approach in critically ill patients is multidisciplinary and requires the participation of the entire team involved. A comprehensive strategy such as this can make a significant difference in the functional recovery of critically ill patients, but leaders must be identified to promote training, evaluation, analysis and feedback as essential components of its implementation, and to coordinate this process with the recognition of hospital management.

Fatigue, fear of being mobilized and residual limb pain limit independent basic mobility and physiotherapy for patients early after major dysvascular lower extremity amputation: A prospective cohort study.

AIM: Early mobilization of patients with a major lower extremity amputation (LEA) is often a challenge because of lack of compliance. Therefore, we investigated factors limiting independent mobility and physiotherapy on the first day with physiotherapy (PTDay1) and the following 2 days after LEA. METHODS: A total of 60 consecutive patients, mean age 73.7 years (SD 12.1 years), undergoing LEA were included over a period of 7 months. The Basic Amputee Mobility Score was used to assess basic mobility. Predefined limitations for not achieving independent mobility or not completing physiotherapy were residual limb pain, pain elsewhere, fear of being mobilized, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, acute cognitive dysfunction or "other" factors reported on PTDay1 and the following 2 days after LEA. RESULTS: Fatigue and fear of being mobilized were the most frequent limitations for not achieving independent mobility on PTDay1 and the following 2 days after LEA. Patients (n = 55) who were not independent in the Basic Amputee Mobility Score activity transferring from bed to chair on PTDay1 were limited by fatigue (44%) and fear of being mobilized (33%). A total of 21 patients did not complete planned physiotherapy on PTDay1, and were limited by fatigue (38%), residual limb pain (24%) and "other" factors (24%). CONCLUSION: Fatigue and fear of being mobilized were the most frequent factors that limited independent mobility early after LEA. Fatigue, residual limb pain and "other" factors limited completion of physiotherapy. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 470-476.

Early Mobility Index and Patient Outcomes: A Retrospective Study in Multiple Intensive Care Units.

BACKGROUND: Early mobility interventions in intensive care units (ICUs) are safe and improve outcomes in subsets of critically ill adults. However, implementation varies, and the optimal mobility dose remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To test for associations between daily dose of out-of-bed mobility and patient outcomes in different ICUs. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study of electronic records from 7 adult ICUs in an academic quarternary hospital, multivariable linear regression was used to examine the effects of out-of-bed events per mobility-eligible day on mechanical ventilation duration and length of ICU and hospital stays. RESULTS: In total, 8609 adults hospitalized in ICUs from 2015 through 2018 were included. Patients were mobilized out of bed on 46.5% of ICU days and were eligible for mobility interventions on a median (IQR) of 2.0 (1-3) of 2.7 (2-9) ICU days. Median (IQR) out-of-bed events per mobility-eligible day were 0.5 (0-1.2) among all patients. For every unit increase in out-of-bed events per mobility-eligible day before extubation, mechanical ventilation duration decreased by 10% (adjusted coefficient [95% CI], -0.10 [-0.18 to -0.01]). Daily mobility increased ICU stays by 4% (adjusted coefficient [95% CI], 0.04 [0.03-0.06]) and decreased hospital stays by 5% (adjusted coefficient [95% CI], -0.05 [-0.07 to -0.03]). Effect sizes differed among ICUs. CONCLUSIONS: More daily out-of-bed mobility for ICU patients was associated with shorter mechanical ventilation duration and hospital stays, suggesting a dose-response relationship between daily mobility and patient outcomes. However, relationships differed across ICU subpopulations.

Early ambulation impacts on quality-of-life outcomes positively after lower limb burn injury: A group trajectory analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the challenges of providing burn care throughout the 2.5MKm2 jurisdiction of Western Australia, early intervention after injury remains a key premise of the multidisciplinary model of care applied by the State Adult Burn Unit (SABU) team. In particular, contemporary guidelines support the facilitation of early ambulation after lower limb burn and skin grafting. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the association between the timing of ambulation after burn and surgery on quality of life (QoL) outcomes. METHODS: Data from 1707 lower limb burn patients aged ≥ 18, admitted to the SABU between February 2011- December 2019, were included. Self-reported QoL longitudinal outcomes were assessed using the Short Form 36 and Burn Specific Health Scale Brief. Three recovery trajectories were defined according to their QoL outcome responses, mapped out to one year. Early ambulation was defined as occurring within 48 h of acute burn or surgery, as per SABU routine practice. RESULTS: Early ambulation was shown to have a positive association to the higher QoL trajectory group (>75% of cohort), though not statistically significant for the Physical Component (PCS) and Mental health Component (MCS) summary scores of the SF36; however, ambulation pathway was associated with adjusted long-term BSHS-B QoL outcomes. The least favorable trajectory of long-term recovery of the physical aspects of QoL was seen in those with higher TBSA and complications and increasing age and comorbidities. In contrast, the mental health components of QoL were robust to all those factors, apart from pre-existing comorbidities. CONCLUSION: Early ambulation after lower limb burn, and surgery, was positively associated with early and long-term QoL outcomes. Recovery trajectory is strongly indicated by where the patient journey begins after early acute care. The optimal physical QoL recovery trajectory was shared by those who were younger with reduced TBSA; complications; and, comorbidities whereas the mental health QoL trajectories were only impacted by comorbidities.

Association of active mobilisation variables with adverse events and mortality in patients requiring mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Mobilisation during critical illness is now included in multiple clinical practice guidelines. However, a large, randomised trial and systematic review have recently identified an increased probability of adverse events and mortality in patients who received early active mobilisation in the intensive care unit (ICU). We aimed to determine the effects of mobilisation compared with usual care on adverse events and mortality in an acute ICU setting. In subgroup analyses, we specifically aimed to investigate possible sources of harm, including the timing and duration of mobilisation achieved, ventilation status, and admission diagnosis. METHODS: In this systematic review with frequentist and Bayesian analyses, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and PEDro electronic databases, as well as clinical trial registries (ICTRP and ClinicalTrials.gov), from inception to March 16, 2023, without language restrictions. Eligible studies were randomised controlled trials that examined active mobilisation compared with either no mobilisation or mobilisation commencing later, or at a lower frequency or intensity, in adults who were critically ill during or after a period of mechanical ventilation in an acute ICU setting. Two authors independently screened reports, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (version 1). The primary outcome was the number of adverse events that occurred during the implementation of mobilisation, with the effect of mobilisation on mortality being the secondary outcome. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs were calculated in R (version 4.0.3) using random-effects modelling, with Bayesian analysis completed to calculate the probability of treatment harm (ie, RR >1). Subgroup analyses were completed to investigate the association of various factors of mobilisation on adverse events and mortality: duration of mobilisation (longer [≥20 min per day] vs shorter [<20 min per day]), timing of commencement (early [≤72 h from ICU admission] vs late [>72 h from ICU admission]), ventilation status at commencement (all patients mechanically ventilated vs all patients extubated), and ICU admission diagnosis (surgical vs medical). This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022369272. FINDINGS: After title and abstract screening of 14 440 studies and review of 466 full texts, 67 trials with 7004 participants met inclusion criteria, with 59 trials contributing to the meta-analysis. Of the 67 included studies, 15 (22%) did not mention adverse events and 13 (19%) reported no adverse events occurring across the trial period. Overall, we found no effect of mobilisation compared with usual care on the occurrence of adverse events (RR 1·09 [95% CI 0·69-1·74], p=0·71; I2 91%; 32 731 events, 20 studies; very low certainty), with a 2·96% occurrence rate (693 events in 23 395 intervention sessions; 25 studies). Mobilisation did not have any effect on mortality (RR 0·98 [95% CI 0·87-1·12], p=0·81; I2 0%; n=6218, 58 studies; moderate certainty). Subgroup analysis was hindered by the large amount of data that could not be allocated and analysed, making the results hypothesis generating only. INTERPRETATION: Implementation of mobilisation in the ICU was associated with a less than 3% chance of an adverse event occurring and was not found to increase adverse events or mortality overall, providing reassurance for clinicians about the safety of performing this intervention. Subgroup analyses did not clearly identify any specific variable of mobilisation implementation that increased harm. FUNDING: None.

Early Mobilization in Pediatric Critical Care: Exploring the Gap Between Theory and Practice in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND Because of advancements in critical care, Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) have experienced improved survival rates. However, PICU-acquired frailty and cognitive deficits continue to be issues. In PICUs, early mobilization is emerging as a useful technique. The present study assesses early mobilization awareness, opinions, and practices among pediatric critical care providers in Saudi Arabia. MATERIAL AND METHODS From July 2020 to February 2021, a survey was undertaken in Saudi Arabia, targeting 110 physicians, 200 nurses, 30 respiratory therapists, and 20 physiotherapists. It concentrated on emergency medicine practices, operational issues, initiation time, rehabilitation modalities, and PICU staff strain. RESULTS The results showed that 64.7% of the 266 respondents were nurses, usually working in 5- to 15-bed ICUs providing medical and surgical treatment. Early mobilization was evaluated as highly significant by 40.6% of the respondents. Equipment constraints (63.5%), patient medical instability (67.3%), endotracheal intubation complications (65.4%), and personnel limits (56.4%) were major challenges. Non-physicians cited space constraints 38.9% of the time, whereas physicians cited safety concerns 47.4% of the time. Respiratory physiotherapy and passive range-of-motion exercises were the most used rehabilitation techniques (77.8%). Only 38.7% of patients with ICU-acquired weakness were referred for outpatient therapy. CONCLUSIONS The study emphasizes the importance of early mobilization in Saudi Arabian pediatric critical care while also recognizing considerable limitations. Addressing these difficulties necessitates a multidisciplinary, strategic approach. Future research should strive to standardize practices to enhance patient outcomes and develop standards in pediatric critical care.

Early Mobilization Using a Mobile Patient Lift in the ICU: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain whether a mobile patient lift facilitates early mobilization in ventilated ICU patients. DESIGN: A single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: An academic ICU in Tokyo. PATIENTS: Eighty patients were admitted to ICU and expected ventilation for at least 48 hours. INTERVENTIONS: In the intervention group, in addition to the rehabilitation protocol received by the control group, patients were assisted in sitting, standing, transfers, and walking using the mobile patient lift. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The intervention group predominantly stood faster than the control group (1.0 vs. 3.0 d, p < 0.01). The Intervention group also had significantly higher Functional Status Score-ICU scores at ICU discharge. However, the Medical Research Council score and Barthel index at discharge, length of ICU stay, and number of ventilator-free days did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of mobile patient lifts facilitates the earlier standing of patients on ventilators. This may contribute to patients improved physical function in the ICU. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) under the registration number UMIN000044965. Registered July 30, 2021.

Effects of Vibration Therapy on the Physical Function of Critically Ill Adults Trial: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Vibration therapy uses vibration to rehabilitate physical functions. Recently, it has been demonstrated to be safe for critically ill patients. However, its effects on physical functions are unclear. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A single-center, ICU. PATIENTS: Patients were randomly assigned to either vibration therapy coupled with protocolized mobilization or protocolized mobilization alone. We included patients who could sit at the edge of the bed or in a wheelchair during their ICU stay. The exclusion criteria were based on the early mobilization inhibition criteria. INTERVENTIONS: The primary outcome was the Functional Status Score for the ICU (FSS-ICU) at ICU discharge. Secondary outcomes were the Medical Research Council score, ICU-acquired weakness, delirium, ICU Mobility Scale (IMS), and ventilator- and ICU-free days. For safety assessment, vital signs were monitored during the intervention. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among 180 patients, 86 and 90 patients remained in the vibration therapy and control groups, respectively. The mean age was 69 ± 13 vs. 67 ± 16 years in the vibration therapy and control groups, and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was 19 (14-25) vs. 18 (13-23). The total FSS-ICU at ICU discharge was 24 (18-27) and 21 (17-26) in the intervention and control groups, respectively ( p = 0.09), and the supine-to-sit ability significantly improved in the intervention group ( p < 0.01). The secondary outcomes were not significantly different. Vital signs remained stable during vibration therapy. In the predefined subgroup analysis, FSS-ICU improved in the population with a higher body mass index (≥ 23 kg/m 2 ), lower APACHE II scores (< 19), and higher IMS scores (≥ 6). CONCLUSIONS: Vibration therapy did not improve the total FSS-ICU. However, the supine-to-sit ability in the FSS-ICU improved without any adverse event.

Factors influencing early mobilisation for patients undergoing pancreatic surgery from multiple perspectives: a qualitative descriptive study.

OBJECTIVES: Despite early mobilisation as a key component of enhanced recovery after surgery pathways for pancreatic surgery, the implementation of early mobilisation remains unsatisfactory. What factors influence the implementation of early mobilisation from the lens of all stakeholders is unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the influencing factors of early mobilisation in pancreatic surgery from the perspective of patients, family members and health professionals. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive design using individual interviews and focus groups. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two patients undergoing pancreatic surgery, 10 family members and 10 healthcare professionals from a large university teaching hospital in China. METHODS: We collected data on participants' views on factors influencing early mobilisation after pancreatic surgery. Two researchers independently reviewed the transcripts and emergent coding. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: Three main categories that influenced the implementation of early mobilisation in pancreatic surgery were identified: (1) attitude towards early postoperative mobilisation (eg, perceived advantages or disadvantages of early mobilisation), (2) subjective norm (eg, impact from health professionals, family members and fellow patients) and (3) perceived behavioural control (eg, knowledge, abilities, resources and environment). CONCLUSION: Factors influencing early mobilisation are diverse and multidimensional. The successful implementation of early mobilisation requires the dedication of both patients and healthcare professionals.

[Effect of early off-bed mobility on diaphragm function in intensive care unit patients undergoing mechanical ventilation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the improvement of diaphragm function after early off-bed mobility intervention in intensive care unit (ICU) patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 147 adult patients undergoing mechanical ventilation admitted to ICU of Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from October 2019 to March 2022 were enrolled. The patients were divided into control group and observation group by convenient sampling. Except for the different intervention programs of early mobility, other treatment and nursing of the patients in the two groups were carried out according to ICU routine. Progressive early activities were performed in the control group, while early off-bed mobility was performed in the observation group. The changes of diaphragm thickness at the end of inspiratory (DTei), diaphragm thickness at the end of expiratory (DTee) and diaphragm thickening fraction (DTF) before and 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of intervention, and the duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay and 24-hour re-intubation rate after intervention were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Among the 147 patients, there were 4 cases of detachment in the control group and 5 cases of detachment in the observation group. Finally, 138 patients were enrolled, 69 cases in the control group and 69 cases in the observation group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, diagnosis of ICU, sedatives, muscle strength, ventilator model, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score and DTei, DTee, DTF before intervention between the two groups. The DTei, DTee and DTF in both groups were increased gradually with the extension of intervention time, especially in the observation group [DTei (cm) at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of intervention in the observation group were 0.247±0.014, 0.275±0.016, 0.300±0.013 and 0.329±0.013, while in the control group were 0.242±0.015, 0.258±0.013, 0.269±0.014, and 0.290±0.017, effect of time: F = 993.825, P = 0.000, effect of intervention: F = 82.304, P = 0.000, interaction effect between intervention and time: F = 84.457, P = 0.000; DTee (cm) of the observation group were 0.213±0.014, 0.227±0.013, 0.243±0.016, 0.264±0.010, while in the control group were 0.213±0.016, 0.218±0.013, 0.224±0.013, 0.234±0.014, effect of time: F = 385.552, P = 0.000, effect of intervention: F = 28.161, P = 0.000, interaction effect between intervention and time: F = 45.012, P = 0.000; DTF of the observation group were (15.98±4.23)%, (21.35±4.67)%, (24.09±4.44)% and (25.24±3.74)%, while in the control group were (14.17±4.66)%, (18.11±3.92)%, (20.22±4.19)% and (20.98±4.12)%, effect of time: F = 161.552, P = 0.000, effect of intervention: F = 49.224, P = 0.000, interaction effect between intervention and time: F = -4.507, P = 0.000]. The duration of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay in the observation group were significantly shorter than those in the control group [duration of mechanical ventilation (hours): 112.68±12.25 vs. 135.32±22.10, length of ICU stay (days): 7.84±1.78 vs. 10.23±2.43, both P < 0.01]. However, there was no significant difference in 24-hour re-intubation rate between the observation group and the control group (0% vs. 2.90%, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both early off-bed mobility and progressive early activities can prevent diaphragm weakness in ICU patients undergoing mechanical ventilation, and the effect of early off-bed mobility is better. Early off-bed mobility can significantly shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay, and it is safe and feasible.

Early intensive mobilization after acute high-risk abdominal surgery: a nonrandomized prospective feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND: Mobilization after emergency abdominal surgery is considered essential to facilitate rehabilitation and reduce postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of early intensive mobilization after acute high-risk abdominal (AHA) surgery. METHODS: We conducted a nonrandomized, prospective feasibility trial of consecutive patients after AHA surgery at a university hospital in Denmark. The participants followed a predefined, interdisciplinary protocol for early intensive mobilization during the first 7 postoperative days (PODs) of their hospital admission. We evaluated feasibility in accordance with the percentage of patients who mobilized within 24 hours after surgery, mobilized at least 4 times per day and achieved daily goals of time out of bed and walking distance. RESULTS: We included 48 patients with a mean age of 61 (standard deviation 17) years (48% female). Within 24 hours after surgery, 92% of the patients were mobilized and 82% or more were mobilized at least 4 times per day over the first 7 PODs. On PODs 1-3, 70%-89% of the participants achieved the daily goals of mobilization; participants still in hospital after POD 3 were less able to achieve the daily goals. Patient reported that the primary factors limiting their level of mobilization were fatigue, pain and dizziness. Participants not mobilized independently on POD 3 (28%) had significantly (p ≤ 0.04) fewer hours out of bed (4 v. 8 h), were less able to achieve the goals of time out of bed (45% v. 95%) and walking distance (62% v. 94%) and had longer hospital stays (14 v. 6 d) than participants mobilized independently on POD 3. CONCLUSION: The early intensive mobilization protocol seems feasible for most patients after AHA surgery. For nonindependent patients, however, alternative mobilization strategies and goals should be investigated.

Early Mobilization for Critically Ill Patients.

Advances in the field of critical care medicine have helped improve the survival rate of these ill patients. Several studies have demonstrated the potential benefits of early mobilization as an important component of critical care rehabilitation. However, there have been some inconsistent results. Moreover, the lack of standardized mobilization protocols and the associated safety concerns are a barrier to the implementation of early mobilization in critically ill patients. Therefore, determining the appropriate modalities of implementation of early mobilization is a key imperative to leverage its potential in these patients. In this paper, we review the contemporary literature to summarize the strategies for early mobilization of critically ill patients, assess the implementation and validity based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, as well as discuss the safety aspects of early mobilization.

Effect of early physical therapy interventions on post-operative ileus following abdominal hysterectomy.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of early physical therapy intervention on symptoms of post-operative ileus after abdominal hysterectomy. This randomised control trial was carried out at the Railway General Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from February 2021 to July 2021. Participants were randomly allocated to experimental (n=21) and control (n=21) groups using sealed envelope method. The experimental group received an enhanced physiotherapy rehabilitation plan of care consisting of patient education, breathing exercises, early mobilisation, connective tissue manipulation, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, while the control group only performed ambulation. The intervention was carried out during the first three days after surgery. Subjective measures were used to determine post-operative ileus. The study results conclude that enhanced early post-operative rehabilitation programme following abdominal hysterectomy has the potential to improve symptoms of post-operative ileus.

Analysis of adherence to an early mobilization protocol in an intensive care unit: Data collected prospectively over a period of three years by the clinical information system.

OBJECTIVE: To determinate the adherence and barriers of our early mobilization protocol in patients who had received mechanical ventilation >48h in routine daily practice through clinical information system during all Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay. DESIGN: Observational and prospective cohort study. SETTING: Polyvalent ICU over a three-year period (2017-2019). PATIENTS: Adult patients on mechanical ventilation >48h who met the inclusion criteria for the early mobilization protocol. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Demographics, adherence to the protocol and putative hidden adherence, total number of mobilizations, barriers, artificial airway/ventilatory support at each mobilization level and adverse events. RESULTS: We analyzed 3269 stay-days from 388 patients with median age of 63 (51-72) years, median APACHE II 23 (18-29) and median ICU stay of 10.1 (6.2-16.5) days. Adherence to the protocol was 56.6% (1850 stay-days), but patients were mobilized in only 32.2% (1472) of all stay-days. The putative hidden adherence was 15.6% (509 stay-days) which would increase adherence to 72.2%. The most common reasons for not mobilizing patients were failure to meeting the criteria for clinical stability in 241 (42%) stay-days and unavailability of physiotherapists in 190 (33%) stay-days. Adverse events occurred in only 6 (0.4%) stay-days. CONCLUSIONS: Data form Clinical Information System showed although adherence was high, patients were mobilized in only one-third of all stay-days. Knowing the specific reason why patient were not mobilized in each stay-day allow to develop concrete decisions to increase the number of mobilizations.

A Survey of Implementation of ABCDE Protocols.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous awakening trials (SATs), spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs), delirium assessment/management, early mobility have been termed the ABCDE bundle. The ABCDE bundle has been proven to improve patient outcomes. However, there is often a long gap in dissemination and implementation of evidence-based medicine. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalent implementation of and determinants for ABCDE protocol adoption in Pennsylvania. METHODS: We developed a survey of ABCDE bundle protocols. We surveyed factors around implementation including written protocol presence, standardized assessments to guide protocols, timing of creation of protocols, and estimated adherence to protocols. We also collected data on factors that might be determinants for protocol adoption including ICU staffing models, hospital and ICU level factors. We validated the survey tool using the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Keystone ICU collaborative. We then administered the validated survey to a leader of the medical ICU or mixed medical-surgical ICU of all Pennsylvania Hospitals. Multivariable logistic and ordinal regression were used to determine associations between ICU staffing models and hospital and ICU level factors with the presence of ABCDE bundle protocols. RESULTS: In the study cohort of Pennsylvania ICUs (n = 144), we had 100 respondents (69% response). The median number of hospital beds among the respondents was 185 (IQR 111-355) with a median of 14 ICU beds (IQR 10-20). 86% reported spontaneous awakening trial protocols, 60% reported spontaneous breathing trial protocols, 43% reported delirium assessment/management protocols, and 27% reported early mobility protocols. Being a medical ICU compared to a mixed medical-surgical ICU (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.19-10.21, P = .02) and presence of multidisciplinary rounds (OR 4.97, 95% CI 2.07-11.94, P < .001) were associated with increasing number of ABCDE bundle protocol components. CONCLUSIONS: Variable implementation of ABCDE bundle protocols was present across Pennsylvania. Team communication is important to implementation of these protocols.

Early mobilization after esophageal cancer surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

A key component of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery pathway for esophagectomy is early mobilization. Evidence on a specific protocol of early and structured mobilization is scarce, which explains variation in clinical practice. This study aims to describe and evaluate the early mobilization practice after esophagectomy for cancer in a tertiary referral center in the Netherlands. This retrospective cohort study included data from a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent an esophagectomy between 1 January 2015 and 1 January 2020. Early mobilization entailed increase in activity with the first target of ambulating 100 meters. Primary outcomes were the number of postoperative days (PODs) until achieving this target and reasons for not achieving this target. Secondary outcomes were the relationship between preoperative factors (e.g. sex, BMI) and achieving the target on POD1, and the relationship between achieving the target on POD1 and postoperative outcomes (i.e. length of stay, readmissions). In total, 384 patients were included. The median POD of achieving the target was 2 (IQR 1-3), with 173 (45.1%) patients achieving this on POD1. Main reason for not achieving this target was due to hemodynamic instability (22.7%). Male sex was associated with achieving the target on POD1 (OR = 1.997, 95%CI 1.172-3.403, P = 0.011); achieving this target was not associated with postoperative outcomes. Ambulation up to 100 m on POD1 is achievable in patients after esophagectomy, with higher odds for men to achieve this target. ERAS pathways for post esophagectomy care are encouraged to incorporate 100 m ambulation on POD1 in their guideline as the first postoperative target.

Early mobilisation in critically ill children: Does routine patient screening reduce time to commencing mobilisation?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of daily screening for medical readiness to participate in early mobilisation in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), on reducing time to mobilisation and to explore the safety-, feasibility-, and patient-level barriers to the practice. METHODS: An interventional study with a historical control group was conducted in a PICU in a tertiary teaching hospital in Australia. The Early Mobilisation Screening Checklist was applied at 24-48 h of PICU stay with the aim to reduce time to commencing mobilisation. All patients aged term to 18 years admitted to the PICU for >48 h were included in this study. Data on time to mobilisation and patient characteristics were collected by an unblinded case note audit of children admitted to the PICU over 5 months in 2018 for the baseline group and over a corresponding period in 2019 for the intervention group. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 71 children were enrolled. Survival analysis was used to compare time to mobilisation between groups, and a cox regression model found that children in the intervention group were 1.26 times more likely to participate in mobility, but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.391, log rank test for equality of survival functions). Early mobilisation was safe, with no adverse events reported in 177 participant mobilisation days. Feasibility was demonstrated by 62% of participants mobilising within 72 h of admission. Mechanical ventilation during stay (P = 0.043) and days receiving sedation infusion (% of days) (P = 0.042) were associated with a decreased likelihood of participating in mobility. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of routine screening alone does not significantly reduce time to commencing mobility in the PICU. Early mobilisation in the PICU is safe and feasible and resulted in no adverse events during mobilisation. Patient characteristics influencing participation in mobility warrant further exploration.