Course Description
Prolonged immobility in the elderly can lead to many complications. It is a known clinical fact that the chances of regaining pre-hospital functional status decreases as the patient stays longer in the hospital. Many critically ill patients, especially those admitted in the ICU, often experience prolonged periods of immobilization due to the need for respiratory support with mechanical ventilation and use of sedative medications. Prolonged bed rest can have significant negative implications, such as muscle atrophy, physical de-conditioning and increased risk of complications such deep vein thrombosis, pressure ulcers and pneumonia. To avoid these complications, many hospitals have adopted nurse driven early mobilization protocols. Early mobilization protocols are structured interventions aimed at getting the patients to engage in physical activity as soon as it is deemed safe. From passive to active range of motion exercises, to sitting up in bed, dangling in bed, standing and eventually transferring and ambulating. This course is to remind CNAs on the importance of providing these basic interventions, which seem routine, but may have a huge impact in preventing further health complications and can hasten the recovery of the patient.
Learning Objectives
- Acknowledge that lack of use of muscles while recovering from a hospitalization can lead to muscle atrophy and general weakness.
- Explore the effects of immobility on the respiratory system and how that can affect the recovery of the patient.
- Learn the risks of developing blood clots during prolonged immobilization and how that can be fatal.
- Acknowledge the risk of bed bound patients in developing pressure ulcers.
- Acknowledge the possible negative psychological effects of immobility on the elderly patient.
- Acknowledge basic interventions that the CNA can do to assist their patients avoid complications from immobility.