How does a low-height stretcher enable early mobilisation in hospitals?
What is early mobilisation?
Firstly, what is early mobilisation?
Early mobilisation is essentially getting critically ill patients up and moving as soon as safely and physically possible. It involves rehabilitation activities like sitting on the edge of the bed, simple exercises, and even walking with assistance.
Traditionally, patients in the ICU were kept sedated and bedridden to minimize stress and complications. However, research has shown that prolonged immobility can lead to a range of adverse effects, including muscle weakness, joint stiffness, decreased lung function, increased risk of infections, and longer hospital stays.
Now, let’s dive into how a low-height stretcher can enable early mobilisation in hospitals.
How does a low-height stretcher enable early mobilisation in hospitals?
A low-height patient stretcher makes it much easier for the patient to get in and out of the stretcher themselves, making it easier for them to self-mobilise as soon as they are able to.
Traditionally, patients in the ICU are kept sedated and bedridden to minimize stress and complications, but by implementing low-height stretchers in emergency departments and in ICU, patients will be able to mobilise quicker, resulting in faster discharge, better patient flow, and better outcomes for the patients themselves.
A study from the American Geriatrics Society in 205 found that older adults who were able to self-mobilize were more likely to be discharged from the hospital sooner and have a better quality of life after discharge. The study also found that self-mobilization was associated with a decreased risk of falls and readmission to the hospital.1
Related article: The benefits of early mobilisation in ICU and Hospitals
Citations
[1] The Impact of Self-Mobilization on Outcomes in Older Adults” (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2015).
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What is early mobilisation? The benefits of early mobilisation in ICU and Hospitals
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How do patient stretchers improve efficiency and patient flow in hospitals?
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