Gerontological Nursing: Developing the Art and Science

Systematic review describing the effect of early mobilisation after dysvascular major lower limb amputations

“…Even though mobilising patients in‐hospital is overall the responsibility of nurses (Sheets ), this review identified only one nurse‐initiated mobilisation intervention. Taking into consideration, the potential effect structured and intense early mobilisation intervention could have – preventing complications and restoring basic functions in an especially vulnerable patient population – this fundamental care task deserves more attention from research and clinical practice.…”

“…Mobilising patients in the acute care setting is a fundamental care task (Kalisch et al 2013) that is provided when ordered by the physicians. As such, it is the responsibility of the nursing staff (Sheets 2012) to mobilise patients, although this care can be partially provided by allied health professionals such as physiotherapists. Nurses have been identified as the most capable healthcare professionals to promote functional independence in the chain of care providers surrounding older hospitalised patients (Sheets 2012).…”

“…As such, it is the responsibility of the nursing staff (Sheets 2012) to mobilise patients, although this care can be partially provided by allied health professionals such as physiotherapists. Nurses have been identified as the most capable healthcare professionals to promote functional independence in the chain of care providers surrounding older hospitalised patients (Sheets 2012). Despite this finding, nurses often do not ambulate patients (Kalisch et al 2011), and hospitalised patients spend most of their time in bed or in a chair (Brown et al 2004).…”