Effect of mobility at ICU discharge on mortality and length of post-ICU stay: a retrospective analysis

Mendes, Roberto Gonçalves; Nunes, Manuel Lourenço; Branco, Miguel Castelo; Novo, André

http://hdl.handle.net/10198/35200

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Authors

Mendes, Roberto Gonçalves

Nunes, Manuel Lourenço

Branco, Miguel Castelo

Novo, André

Abstract(s)

Admission to intensive care can be accompanied by significant adverse effects for patients, which last beyond their stay in the unit. Early mobilisation is part of a set of a bundle to minimise these effects and is now unanimously considered to be safe and beneficial. It is therefore important to understand how it is being implemented in practice and what its real benefits are. Aim/Objective To characterise mobility in the ICU and correlate the level of mobility at discharge from the ICU with the results of post-intensive care, namely: length of stay after intensive care and hospital mortality. Methods This was an observational, retrospective study carried out in the Intensive Care Department of a Local Health Unit located in the Portuguese countryside. A quantitative research methodology was used. Results Of the 244 patients included in the sample, 54.5% achieved orthostatism during the ICU stay and 36.5% achieved deambulation. The average length of stay between leaving the ICU and hospital discharge was 8.0 ± 7.5 days. Patients who remained at bed rest at discharge had longer hospital stays than patients who were ambulating (p = 0.014); and patients who performed activities in bed also had longer hospital stays than those who were orthostatic or ambulating (p = 0.026 and 0.002 respectively). Post-ICU mortality was 5.7%, and there was a strong correlation with mobility on discharge from the ICU (p < 0.001), with less mobile patients having a higher mortality rate than expected (odds ratio = 5.13). Conclusions The mobility levels founded in this study are in line with international reality. Patients who achieve higher levels of mobility during their stay in intensive care have shorter hospital stays and lower mortality.

Keywords

Critical care Early ambulation Patient outcome assessment Rehabilitation nursing

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10198/35200

Citation

Mendes, Roberto Gonçalves; Novo, André; Nunes, Manuel Lourenço; Branco, Miguel Castelo (2026). Effect of mobility at ICU discharge on mortality and length of post-ICU stay: a retrospective analysis. Enfermería Intensiva. ISSN 1130-2399. 37:1