Implementation of a Nurse-Driven Progressive Mobilization Plan among Hospitalized Older Adults

Extended time spent in bed is prevalent among hospitalized older adults thus leading to mobility decline. The published literature documents deleterious effects of immobilization during hospitalization. These effects include nosocomial infection, injurious falls, pressure ulcers, institutionalization, increased healthcare costs, and extended length of stay. Current evidence supports early mobilization to reduce functional deterioration, falls, prolonged length of stay, and readmission. This project implemented a nurse-driven progressive mobilization plan and evaluated the effect of progressive mobilization plan on the percentage of older adults ambulates within 48-72 hours of hospitalization and the length of hospital stay. Retrospective chart reviews were conducted three weeks before and three weeks after implementation of the progressive mobilization plan. Descriptive statistics analyzed the demographic data and the percentage of older adults ambulated in the unit. Inferential statistics examined the significance of the length of stay. Three weeks after implementation of the progressive mobilization plan, the percentage of older adults ambulated in the unit improved from 18% (9 of 50) to 68% (34 of 50) within 72 hours of hospitalization. However, the mean length of stay of older adults was not significantly different between the pre and post implementation groups (t (97) = -0.59, p = .560). Nurse-driven mobilization plan had an impact on early ambulation of the older adults in the unit and decreased the time spent lying in bed. Early progressive mobilization should be a standard of care in all inpatient units to prevent mobility decline during hospitalization.D.N.P., Nursing Practice -- Drexel University, 201