Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2025
Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
Published on: January 16, 2019
Early mobilisation and rehabilitation in the PICU: a UK survey
Jacqueline Y Thompson1, Julie C Menzies2, Joseph C Manning3,4
1Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Insights
Early rehabilitation and mobilisation (ERM) is becoming more familiar in UK paediatric intensive care units (PICUs). However, resource limitations and varied delivery methods hinder its widespread implementation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Intensive Care
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Healthcare Delivery
Background:
- Early rehabilitation and mobilisation (ERM) aims to improve recovery in critically ill children.
- Understanding professional perspectives on ERM in UK paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) is crucial for optimizing care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the context and professional viewpoints regarding the delivery of ERM in UK PICUs.
- To identify facilitators and barriers to ERM implementation in this setting.
Main Methods:
- A web-based survey was conducted from May to August 2019.
- 124 healthcare professionals from 26 UK PICUs participated, representing diverse roles (doctors, nurses, therapists).
Main Results:
- ERM definitions emphasized multidisciplinary, tailored recovery packages.
- Key barriers included physiological instability, staffing shortages, sedation, and resource limitations.
- Reduced PICU length of stay and improved psychological outcomes were identified as primary benefits.
Conclusions:
- ERM is increasingly recognized in UK PICUs, but significant implementation barriers persist.
- A standardized protocol and targeted support are needed to overcome resource and delivery challenges.
- High-quality ERM delivery requires addressing identified modifiable barriers.
Objective:
To understand the context and professional perspectives of delivering early rehabilitation and mobilisation (ERM) within UK paediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
Design:
A web-based survey administered from May 2019 to August 2019.
Setting:
UK PICUs.
Participants:
A total of 124 staff from 26 PICUs participated, including 22 (18%) doctors, 34 (27%) nurses, 28 (23%) physiotherapists, 19 (15%) occupational therapists and 21 (17%) were other professionals.
Results:
Key components of participants' definitions of ERM included tailored, multidisciplinary rehabilitation packages focused on promoting recovery. Multidisciplinary involvement in initiating ERM was commonly reported. Over half of respondents favoured delivering ERM after achieving physiological stability (n=69, 56%). All age groups were considered for ERM by relevant health professionals. However, responses differed concerning the timing of initiation. Interventions considered for ERM were more likely to be delivered to patients when PICU length of stay exceeded 28 days and among patients with acquired brain injury or severe developmental delay. The most commonly identified barriers were physiological instability (81%), limited staffing (79%), sedation requirement (73%), insufficient resources and equipment (69%), lack of recognition of patient readiness (67%), patient suitability (63%), inadequate training (61%) and inadequate funding (60%). Respondents ranked reduction in PICU length of stay (74%) and improvement in psychological outcomes (73%) as the most important benefits of ERM.
Conclusion:
ERM is gaining familiarity and endorsement in UK PICUs, but significant barriers to implementation due to limited resources and variation in content and delivery of ERM persist. A standardised protocol that sets out defined ERM interventions, along with implementation support to tackle modifiable barriers, is required to ensure the delivery of high-quality ERM.
More Related Videos
07:20Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
05:28Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies
Published on: October 11, 2024
