Over the course of my experience my FWS has emphasized early activity and early mobilization as part of rehab goals in order to improve over all outcome of hospitalization. Immobility has more correlation to negative outcome such as deconditioning , atrophy, and increased risk for skin breakdown among other things. On the other hand, early mobilization decreases the likelihood of these risks and has been linked to decreased length of stay in hospitals (Fisher, 2010). Occupational, physical, and speech therapies play a larger role in the rehabilitation team, but I have noticed the increase in nursing education for early mobilization especially for patients who are not receiving skilled services. Most, if not all, therapeutic interventions include some aspect of mobility with the goal of assessing and/or restoring function so appropriate discharge recommendations are made. Early mobilization is key to functional mobility for ADL’s and appropriate device training for decreased risk of fall/re-hospitalization.

Fisher, S. R. (2010). Early Ambulation and Length of Stay in Older Adults Hospitalized for Acute Illness. Arch Intern Med, 170(21), 1942. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2010.422