Practice Innovations
Immobility is a prevalent, high-risk occurrence in intensive care units (ICUs). Among other negative consequences, immobility is an independent risk for pressure injury and other hospital-acquired conditions. Herein lies the value of early mobility but sustaining consistent best practice in safe patient handling is more challenging than ever in the post-COVID healthcare environment. In this resource-strained environment, cross-functional solutions offer promise.
Methods:
A step-wedge prospective observational study presents the outcome of 6 pilots in intensive care units in 6 United States hospitals. Multi-disciplinary clinicians (n=162) performed patient handling tasks across critically ill patients. 100% of the high-risk patients were mobilized with light or very light effort, using two or less caregivers 79.6% (n=136) of the time. Clinicians reported that the device easily incorporated into current workflow and made it easier to mobilize the patient safely. No pressure injuries occurred during the pilots and several previously chronically immobile patients were mobilized safely and with reduced pain using the experimental device. Participants reported that the device could replace all 8-alternative patient-handling devices in all 6 pilots.
Results:
Discussion:
Safe patient handling support surfaces streamline care, allowing clinicians to provide safe, early mobilization of complex patients with critical illnesses. Employing cross-functional solutions to reduce patient and caregiver harm allows hospitals to reduce waste and achieve better clinical and financial outcomes.