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Implementing Early Mobilisation in the Intensive Care Unit

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Improving Critical Care Survivorship

Abstract

Early mobilisation is a promising intervention in the intensive care unit with the potential to improve short- and long-term outcomes for patients requiring support for a critical illness. However, early mobilisation is complex with significant variation in uptake and practice around the world. Multiple studies have attempted to address barriers and facilitators to early mobilisation, and a variety of strategies have emerged to support the implementation of this intervention into clinical practice. This chapter summarises the current evidence relating to the effects of early mobilisation in the intensive care unit. It also provides a summary of the factors impacting implementation and provides an overview of the approaches and resources available to support successful translation to clinical practice. Finally, consideration is given to the future of early mobilisation and how this intervention may be delivered and prescribed differently as further evidence and resources emerge.

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Correspondence to Carol L. Hodgson .

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Lang, J.K., Schaller, S.J., Hodgson, C.L. (2021). Implementing Early Mobilisation in the Intensive Care Unit. In: Haines, K.J., McPeake, J., Sevin, C.M. (eds) Improving Critical Care Survivorship. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68680-2_2

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