While literature supports evidence of improved outcomes with early mobility,
changes in practice can present challenges. Winkelman and Peereboom (2010)
performed a descriptive study examining the nurses’ perceptions of the barriers to and
facilitators of progressive mobility. Data were collected in a semi-structured interview
conducted with 33 nurses prior to implementing any patient activity related to mobility.
The goal of the interview was to determine the nurses’ perception related to patient
readiness or inability to increase mobility activities. Of 49 activities identified by nurses
during the interview, 41 were limited to in-bed activity, including frequent manual
turning or passive range of motion exercises. Only one nurse planned active range of
motion exercises. Unstable vital signs and low respiratory tolerance were the common
reasons for restricting activity. Safety concerns (fear of patient falling or risk to tubing or
catheter integrity) were cited in 34% of the interviews. Eleven nurses (27% of interviews)
reported sedation to be an important barrier to out of bed activity. The nurses did not cite
physicians’ orders as either a barrier or facilitator.
When periods before and after the protocol were compared, an association was
apparent between the presence of the protocol and planned out-of-bed activity. During
implementation and evaluation of the protocol, out-of-bed activity increased and occurred
on day 6 compared with day 9 among patients with long ICU stays. Another factor
correlated with out-of-bed activity was a score of 10 or greater on the Glasgow Coma
Scale. Limitations included that study was done at a single institution with a convenience
sample. In addition, the design did not examine whether the protocol caused a change in
nursing behavior. However, this study does provide unique data about nurses’
perceptions of patients’ readiness for mobility activity and how assessment is linked to
progression of mobility in the ICU. The authors suggested that the presence of a protocol
could act as a facilitator in implementing progressive mobility (Winkelman &
Peereboom, 2010).