Mobilizing Patients After Stroke in Neuro Critical Care

Course overview

In an acute care hospital designated as a specialized center of excellence in stroke care, therapy orders are often received within hours of a patient presenting to the ED. Physical therapy and occupational therapy referrals may be part of the admitting order set, with therapists making initial patient contact in the first 24 hours after admission. Early mobility increases patients’ functional mobility, range of motion, strength, muscle tone and quality of life. An early and organized mobility program coordinated by an interprofessional team is associated with a decrease in complications such as venous thromboembolisms, critical care polyneuropathy, skin breakdown/pressure ulcers and pneumonia.