Exploring the Implementation of Early Mobilization of Stroke Patients in Qatar

Introduction Providing early rehabilitation services is an integral part of an acute stroke unit. Research studies suggest that early mobilization (EM) of acute stroke patients may be effective in improving functional status and preventing secondary complications. To provide this comprehensive care of EM, several factors need to be fulfilled. The study aims to describe the contextual factors associated with the implementation of EM at a tertiary academic hospital setting in Qatar. Methods A retrospective descriptive study design was used. All ischemic male and female patients over the age of 18 years with a first or recurrent stroke who were admitted during the four-month study period at Hamad General Hospital were included. The demographic and clinical profile, time of stroke onset and admission, time of physiotherapist evaluation, and mode of arrival to hospital were collected. Results During the study period, 316 ischemic stroke patients were admitted; 79% were male, and the mean (SD) age of the group was 54.2 ± 14.4 years. The most used mode of arrival to the hospital was ambulance service (71%). A total of 33.9% of patients reached the hospital within 4.3 hours of stroke onset. At the facility, the multidisciplinary care, stroke pathway, timely referral to physiotherapy, and follow-up help in effective care. Discussion This study presents the clinical profile of ischemic stroke patients admitted to the facility and examines the contextual factors influencing the implementation of EM within this healthcare setting. One key factor affecting EM implementation among ischemic stroke survivors is the timely arrival of patients to the facility. The early referral system for all ischemic stroke patients facilitates the physiotherapy assessment within 48 hours of admission. Additionally, daily coordinated multidisciplinary meetings ensure the effective functioning of stroke care. The findings indicate that this setting provides a suitable environment for EM of acute stroke patients, demonstrating that implementation of EM is feasible and can serve as a model for other units.