ICU nurses' practice and intention to implement early mobilization: A multi-centre cross-sectional survey

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Nursing Science
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Early mobilization (EM) is recognized for its benefits in critically ill patients' recovery.
• However, consistent implementation of EM in intensive care units (ICUs) often falls short of established guidelines.
• Understanding ICU nurses' perceptions, practices, and intentions regarding EM is crucial, especially in under-researched regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the perceptions, actual practices, and intentions of ICU nurses concerning the implementation of early mobilization.
• To identify factors influencing the adoption of early mobilization protocols in the ICU setting.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, multi-centre survey was conducted.
• Data were collected from 227 ICU nurses across eight hospitals in Beijing, China, using an electronic questionnaire.
• The survey assessed experiences, practices, and intentions related to early mobilization.

Main Results:

• A 50% response rate (114 nurses) was achieved.
• While 68.7% of nurses had EM experience, only 49.3% performed it weekly, and 29.5% dedicated over 20 minutes per patient.
• 75% of nurses intended to implement EM, significantly correlating with higher education, departmental support, fewer perceived barriers, and specific ICU types (respiratory, surgery).

Conclusions:

• A significant gap exists between ICU nurses' experience with early mobilization and adherence to recommended guidelines.
• The study highlights the need for clear, actionable EM guidelines, targeted education, and robust support systems.
• Developing precise EM guidelines is advocated to improve patient outcomes in ICU settings.