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  • Structured communication techniques and improved access to mobility aids should support nurse knowledge and confidence in facilitating ambulation for the acutely hospitalized patient
  • Nurse driven mobility interventions should reduce unnecessary bedrest and promote movement
  • Through education and empowerment of frontline nursing staff, safer and more consistent mobility practices should result

I would like to thank :

Rochester Christian University

Professor Amy Guitar

Professor Jennifer Robinson

Professor Megan Hogue

RN Kelly Lumetta

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INTRODUCTION

Setting : Progressive Care Unit : Corewell Health Troy

Sample: Nurses caring for acutely hospitalized patients

Inclusion: Adults > 18, direct care nursing staff, medically stable patients cleared for ambulation

Exclusion: Bed rest orders, strict mobility restrictions, hemodynamic instability

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Steps to Better Care: Increasing Nurses’ Confidence in Patient Ambulation Through Structured Communication and Accessible Mobility Resources

Mackenzie N. Fournier | Nursing, Rochester Christian University

Sponsor: Professor Amy Guitar

  • Ambulation of acutely hospitalized patients is critical in improving patient outcomes
  • Despite extensive research promoting nurses role in ambulating hospitalized patients, there continues to be barriers that prevent it from happening.

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Methodology

CONCLUSIONS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Intended Outcomes

Data Collection

Educational Intervention

Tools : Pre and Post Intervention Surveys Measuring

  • Nurses confidence facilitating ambulation
  • Knowledge of safe mobility actions
  • Perceived delegation skills

Scale : Likert Scale

Analysis : Pre intervention Data (Baseline) and Post Intervention responses would be compared

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Bundled Interventional Approach :

  • Structured Nurse Led Communication Education
    • Whiteboard Tracking for Ambulation
    • Delegation of Mobility Support
  • Mobility Aid Access
    • Centralized storage of mobility aids on unit
  • Delivery of Education
    • Nurse Education Meeting during shift covering about 10 minutes

Future Implications

Theoretical Framework

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John Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Model (JHNEBP)

Supports the translation of evidence into practice

  • Practice Question
  • Evidence Review
  • Implementation

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  • Sustained nurse confidence and knowledge in safely facilitating patient ambulation
  • Improved nurse autonomy
  • Potential for unit and hospital wide expansion
  • Long term improvement in patient outcomes and functional independence
  • Increased consistency in patient ambulation across nursing staff

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  • Increased nurse confidence in facilitating ambulation
  • Improved nurse knowledge of how to safely ambulate
  • Decreased falls and healthcare associated injuries from bed rest.
  • Increased patient ambulation
  • Increased patient outcomes related to mobility restrictions

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Clinical Question

In nurses caring for acutely hospitalized patients, does education on structured nurse- led communication and improved access to mobility aids promote nurses knowledge and confidence in facilitating mobility?

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Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify whether education combined with improved access to mobility aids enhances a nurses confidence and knowledge in leading ambulation of an acutely hospitalized patient, to promote overall patient outcomes.