By Hetal Kothari, MD, MPH
Medical Director, PMG, Hospitalist programs – St. Peter and Centralia hospitals
As a hospitalist, I believe Early Patient Mobility has numerous clinical and psychological benefits to our patients.
We are very excited with the launch of new and improved Early Progressive Mobility program at St. Peter. We are beginning to develop a culture of early and progressive patient mobility through a multidisciplinary approach.
Clinicians are ensuring accurate and timely mobility orders for our patients and motivating patients to increase their activity levels. Similarly, our nursing and therapy partners are helping with assessing, assisting, and setting mobility targets for our patients based on John Hopkins mobility scores.
Early mobility:
· Prevents complications like blood clots, pressure ulcers and hospital-acquired pneumonias
· Improves functional outcomes
· Shortens hospital stay
· Reduces risk for depression and delirium
· Improves patient satisfaction
· Lowers readmission rates
Together, we are committed to establishing a proactive environment for early, incremental mobility, ultimately enhancing our patients’ recovery.
