Sammanfattning
Background: Advances in critical care have led to increased survival, but also to the recognition of decreased physical and psychological functionality over time, after critical illness. Early and structured mobilization programs are both safe and feasible, and are associated with better outcome for the critical care
patients. Positive outcomes of early mobilization include; improved functionality, reduced incidence of delirium, reduction in number of ventilator days and reduction in length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore when and how often mobilization of critical care patients with more than 4 days on mechanical ventilation occurred. In addition, the aim was to explore team collaboration related to mobilization of ICU patients. Guidelines or protocols for mobilization were not
present in the current ICU at the time of the study.
Methods: The study had a descriptive, quantitative design. Data were retrieved from ICU- patient charts (n=480) retrieved from 37 ICU patients, who stayed 4 days or more in the ICU, and who received mechanical ventilation, in the periode Jan 1th to March 31th 2015.
Results: The main results of this study indicate that the mobilization of ICU patients was inadequate. Many of the patients were not mobilized meanwhile they needed mechanical ventilation, and available time was not used for mobilization. Physiotherapists often participated in the mobilization of the patients. The “daily goals” regarding mobilization was often missing in the patients’ charts.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that there is a need for introducing guidelines for mobilization in the ICU. There is also a need for establishing a multidisciplinary group that can introduce new guidelines, and put “early mobilization” of intensive care patients on the agenda in the ICU.