THE CULTURE OF IMMOBILITY
Studies have shown people function and heal much better when moving consistently. However, exercise and mobility often come to a screeching halt in the acute care setting.
Whether a patient is admitted to the hospital for a routine surgery or sudden illness, numerous complications can occur as a result of immobility.
PROBLEMS ARISE WHEN PATIENTS AREN’T MOBILIZED
Our bodies are designed to move. Functional decline and deconditioning from a patient’s baseline mobility can set in as early as the 2nd day of hospitalization.³²
However, studies have shown that implementing early progressive mobilization is associated with improved functional outcomes, reduced hospital costs, and decreased length of stay. ³ ⁴ ⁵
Patients spend up to 95% of their hospital stay in bed ⁶
Mobility status is not routinely measured in hospitals ⁷
Low mobility is closely linked to hospital readmissions ⁸
IT’S TIME TO UNTETHER
Cords and tubes inhibiting mobility is an additional factor contributing to low compliance of pneumatic compression devices. The cordless, tubeless design of the MAC System promotes ambulation, allowing for better compliance.¹
There is no longer a need to choose between mobility and receiving the recommended 18-22 hours of DVT prophylaxis.
MOBILITY IS MORE THAN AMBULATING
Early mobilization is different from unit-to-unit and across patient populations. Contrary to popular thought processes, mobility is more than just ambulating.
Mobilization can also mean periodic changes in position such as turning the patient, sitting in bed, dangling at the side of the bed, getting to the chair, and ambulation.¹¹
