Early Mobility Best Practices: Assessment and Activity Considerations

Course overview

This course was developed to help the clinician working with complex patients, mostly those who are found in the ICU and who would do worse if left on bed rest. Bed rest and inactivity have their own set of problems that prevent functional improvement in a timely manner after a serious illness. Early mobility requires additional knowledge and skills that are presented in this course, including activity requirements and the contraindications to mobility; the medications, lab values, and diagnostic tests that are essential to know and understand when working with these patients; and the evidence on safety when mobilizing with different lines and tubes. An overview of the initial examination is discussed, as are interventions for the ICU patient and outcome measures that could be utilized in the ICU. The course ends by briefly discussing key factors that are essential for developing or improving an early mobility program. This course is appropriate for all members of the mobility team, including PTs, PTAs, OTs, speech therapists, respiratory therapists, and nurses.