Early Activity and Mobility of Intensive Care Unit Patients to Reduce Hospital Length of Stay and Improve Patient Outcomes: An Integrative Review

Patient physical inactivity during hospital admission is a key contributor to increased length of stay and poor outcomes. Patient inactivity and immobility in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting promote the loss of physical function and increase the risk of complications such as pressure injuries, bone demineralization, lung infections, and ICU delirium. The cumulative effects of immobility are persistent through discharge, as patients are at risk for the long-term effects of posthospitalization muscle atrophy and weakness. The purpose of this integrative review was to examine current evidence to determine if early activity and mobility in the ICU setting reduce length of stay and improve patient outcomes. The results of this integrative review will serve to inform future evidence-based practice initiatives regarding this subject