A Nurse Driven Protocol to Promote Early Mobilization of Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Approximately one in every three patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) receives mechanical ventilation as part of their treatment (Bilodeau et al., 2018). Delirium, ICU-acquired weakness, increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, poor functional ability, and decreased quality of life are considered some of the greatest consequences associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation (Koukourikos et al., 2020). One of the most significant contributing factors to these consequences is the lack of mobility patients experience while they receive this treatment. Early mobilization (EM) of ICU patients is one evidence-based solution that combats the adverse effects related to prolonged mechanical ventilation. Although evidence-based practice suggests EM is an effective solution to prevent many short- and long-term complications, many ICU settings fail to implement EM in their daily practice. This project serves to explore the perceived nursing barriers to EM and share a nurse-driven protocol that can be used to promote the use of EM in clinical practice