Early Ambulation in Patients with External Ventrical Drains: Results of a Quality Improvement Project

Authors

Syed Omar Shah, MD, MBA, Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Jacqueline V. Kraft, MD, Thomas Jefferson University HospitalsFollow
Nethra S. Ankam, MD, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Paula Bu, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Kristen Stout, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Sara Melnyk, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Fred Rincon, MD, MSC, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
M. Kamran Athar, MD, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Abstract

Introduction

Prolonged immobility in ICU patients can lead to muscle wasting and weakness, longer hospital stays, increased number of days in restraints and hospital acquired infections. Increasing evidence demonstrates the safety and feasibility of early mobilization in the ICU. However, there is a lack of evidence in the safety and feasibility of mobilizing patients with external ventricular drains (EVD). The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of early mobility in this patient population.

Recommended Citation

Shah, MD, MBA, Syed Omar; Kraft, MD, Jacqueline V.; Ankam, MD, Nethra S.; Bu, Paula; Stout, Kristen; Melnyk, Sara; Rincon, MD, MSC, Fred; and Athar, MD, M. Kamran (2017) "Early Ambulation in Patients with External Ventrical Drains: Results of a Quality Improvement Project," JHN Journal: Vol. 12: Iss. 1, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29046/JHNJ.012.1.003
Available at: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/jhnj/vol12/iss1/3