Integrating mobility into the plan of care in the intensive care unit

Immobility in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patient can be extremely detrimental and life-threatening to a person who suffers from a plethora of acute and chronic morbidities. Nurses in the ICU care a great deal about the~ patients, but may not always have the time, the knowledge, or the staffing to mobilize their patients as they should be mobilized. This literature review discusses the importance of mobilizing the ICU patient, what hazards of immobility could occur due to the lack of mobilization and different mobility interventions which are utilized in the ICU. The significance of this is to improve patient outcomes and limit the deconditioning caused by immobility. The writing of this review is an effort to encourage nurses to integrate mobility interventions into their plan of care. Understanding how to use this basic skill in a complex - environment will improve patient putcomes