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Hospitalized Adult Patient Characteristics Associated With Participation in a Volunteer-Assisted Mobility Program: A
Gordana Dermody1, Tamara Odom-Maryon, Jennifer Zimmerman
1Edith Cowan University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Joondalup, Western Australia (Dr Dermody and Ms Glass); Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane College of Nursing, Spokane, Washington (Dr Odom-Maryon); and Providence Holy Family Hospital, Spokane, Washington (Ms Zimmerman).
Background:
Physical inactivity during hospitalization commonly results in functional decline. Structured multidisciplinary programs/approaches may be useful to promote mobility in hospitalized adults.
Purpose:
The purpose was to determine whether a volunteer-assisted mobility program was feasible to improve the ambulation of hospitalized patients, and examine the characteristics of patients associated with willingness to participate in the program.
Methods:
A prospective descriptive correlation study was conducted in 2 acute care units. A volunteer-staffed program was implemented with the aim of improving the ambulation of hospitalized patients.
Results:
Hospitalized patients (N = 490) were approached, with 39.2% (n = 192) agreeing to ambulate an average of 109.7 m (interquartile range = 51.45-172.2 m). Patients with a low clinical frailty score, high body mass index, or physical therapy order were more likely to participate in the volunteer-assisted mobility program.
Conclusions:
The findings suggest that a volunteer-assisted interdisciplinary program is a feasible way to promote the ambulation of some patients.
