Corona Update: SURGE CAPACITY SOLUTIONS – The mobi is a mobile headwall (equipment consolidator) that can be set up in any space that has an electrical outlet: next to a chair, a bed, a cot in a hallway, a cafeteria, or anywhere patients need to be located. Click here for more information.
Early Patient Mobility Blog
Early Mobilization
Early Mobilization
April 27, 2021
MINIMIZING HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED Complications
Early Mobilization. Recovering from a major illness or injury can be a slow and difficult process. But when patients are bed-bound, simply being in the hospital can add further complications. In the United States alone, 600,000 patients acquire healthcare-associated infections every year, resulting in nearly 100,000 preventable fatalities (Vaughn 2020). Further complications can include constipation, blood clots, bed sores, delirium, and ICU-acquired weakness, all of which increase the risk of readmission and death. However, early mobilization reduces these risks by activating the body’s own defense mechanisms: improving circulation, decreasing fluid retention, and stimulating the lymphatic, digestive, and nervous systems. Early mobilization keeps patients safe, improves recovery times, and lowers healthcare costs for both the patient and the hospital.
Key Facts:
- A systematic review of medical studies found that early mobilization reduces both costs and the risk of secondary complications. On average, patients who achieved early mobilization experienced two fewer days of delirium, fewer central line and catheter infections, lowered risk of ventilator-assisted pneumonia, and reduced risk of readmission and death. (Hunter 2014)
- For patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery grafting (CABG), mobilization within six hours after surgery significantly reduces the risk of secondary pneumonia. (Strobel 2020)
- An extensive study of patients with traumatic spine injuries revealed that patients who were immobilized for more than 72 hours after surgery were 14% more likely to acquire serious secondary complications (pneumonia, urinary tract infection, deep vein thrombosis, and/or pulmonary embolism). (MacCallum 2020)
- A survey of more than 23,000 lumbar surgery patients showed that mobilization on the day of surgery resulted in a shorter length of stay and significantly decreased risk of bowel obstruction, urinary tract infection, and readmission. (Zakaria 2019)
- For cancer patients who have had part of the lung surgically removed, standard early mobilization (within 24 hours) and physiotherapy is recommended to improve lung volume, clear excess fluid from the lungs, and reduce postoperative pulmonary complications. (Agostini 2020)
- Standardized early mobility protocols can improve outcomes for patients with deep vein thrombosis, decrease length of stay for patients with community-acquired pneumonia, and help elderly patients recovering from major surgery to achieve or maintain independent functionality. (Pashikanti 2012)
Learn more about Livengood Medical Mobi Solutions.
What Customers Say
Testimonials
“6 months ago we implemented 12 mobis into our early mobility program. We have a very diverse population on our ICU and having the option of mobilizing them in a way that is helpful and assistive to staff while instilling confidence in the patient and family is great. We’re still working to figure out our ideal workflow but it’s given us concrete examples of how even our sicker vented patients can get mobilized safely and efficiently.”
Mark Rohlfing
RN, BSN Clinical Operations Manager Intensive Care Unit
Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital - Muncie, IN
“After completing a research study with the LIVENGOOD mobi on our post trauma/surgical floor, I realized its potential to decrease length of stay, help with staff efficiency and empower patients to be independent.”
Lorrie Henecke
MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, CNRN Clinical Nurse Specialist
Medical Center of the Rockies, Loveland, CO
“We are so excited that the mobi helped us ambulate our very first vented patient.”
Esther Vandermeulen
R.N.
University Health System - San Antonio, TX
“The LIVENGOOD mobi is very user friendly, safe and a great solution to use minimal staff and be able to contain all of the patient’s equipment.”
Michael Saccone
P.T.
Saint Joseph's Hospital - Syracuse, NY
“I think the LIVENGOOD mobi will revolutionize the way we mobilize patients in the ICU. I saw patients mobilize sooner and with less anxiety with the mobi. One young patient was even able to walk outside with the mobi and her portable vent. Having the mobi made mobility a real team effort, not just a P.T. activity.”
Terra Terwilliger
PT, DPT - Adult Inpatient Physical Therapist
Rehab Services University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview Health System
“The LIVENGOOD platform allows my patients to be active and independent without attention being diverted to multiple lines, an oxygen tank, and other medically necessary devices. It allows patients to have hope and a sense of “normalcy”, which so often is lost after trauma or surgery.”
Jessica Gilbert
DPT
Staff Physical Therapist - Medical Center of The Rockies -Loveland, CO
“Six years ago I was introduced to the LIVENGOOD mobi. This piece of equipment has been life changing for my patients. I am now able to consolidate all of the patient’s medical devices onto an easy to push mobile platform, therefore freeing up both of my hands to safely assist my patient.”
Tanya Kensley
P.T.
Poudre Valley Hospital -Fort Collins, CO
“Mobility is Life, the mobi platform will help patients move again.”
Blas Villa
CCRN
University Health System - San Antonio, TX
“I was at NTI in Boston (2013) and, during the exhibit portion, I wandered across the LIVENGOOD booth. At that moment, I knew our hospital needed this mobi for our open heart recovery program. I worked with a Clinical Nurse Specialist to write a grant for this product. I am so excited to bring the mobi to our program.”
Celina Adams
RN, MSN, CCRN (CVICU)
John C. Lincoln - Phoenix, AZ
“We walked a vented patient with the mobi and it was awesome! This helped her physically and emotionally.”
Natalie Hariel
R.N.
Tulane Medical Center - New Orleans, LA
“I am a nurse in a cardiovascular ICU… Our goal for patients is to ambulate to the chair 2 hours after extubation, often the evening of surgery day. Our patients are up and walking with central venous catheters, swan ganz catheters, chest tubes, foley catheters, and with IV medications infusing. The ambulation of these patients would not be possible without the mobi walker. Every bit of equipment that these patients need can be carried on the walker while providing the stability of a standard walker… It is an essential piece of equipment for us and we couldn’t provide the care and therapies we do without it.”
Katherine Whitfield
RN CCRN
Athens Regional Medical Center - Athens, GA
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Mobi Ambulation Specialist
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Fort Collins, Co 80525
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Fort Collins, Co 80525
United States
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mobi Patient Mobility
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