The Culture of Immobility
Our Bodies are Designed to Move
Studies have shown that people function and heal much better when moving consistently. However, exercise and mobility often come to a screeching halt in the acute care setting. Whether a patient is admitted to the hospital for a routine surgery or sudden illness, numerous complications can occur as a result of immobility.
These complications include pressure ulcers, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pneumonia, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Furthermore, multiple studies have indicated that complications of mobility can result in numerous consequences such as increased morbidity and mortality. Not to mention, it’s a costly problem.
Learn more about hospital-acquired immobility here.
%
Approximately 35% of hospitalized patients experience functional decline during or after hospital admission
%
Ambulation of patients has been identified as the most frequently missed element of inpatient care with immobility rates as high as 76-88%
It’s Time to Untether
Cords and tubes inhibiting mobility is an additional factor contributing to low compliance of the current standard of care pneumatic compression devices. The MAC System™ is the world’s first tubeless, cordless non-pneumatic compression device that not only promotes ambulation – but also measures patient mobility.
So…what does that mean? It means there is no longer a need to choose between mobility and receiving the recommended 18-22 hours of DVT prophylaxis.
Learn More About Hospital-Acquired Immobility
Mobility Is More Than Ambulating
Early mobilization is different from unit-to-unit and across patient populations. Contrary to popular thought processes, mobility is more than just ambulating.
Mobilization can also mean periodic changes in position such as turning the patient, sitting in bed, dangling at the side of the bed, getting to the chair, and ambulation.
