Effects of Mobility Dose in Surgical Intensive Care Unit Patients

Our research group aims to better understand how patients on the SICU are mobilized and the
impact it has on adverse discharge disposition and functional outcome after hospital
discharge.

We have previously developed and validated the Surgical Intensive Care Unit Optimal
Mobilization Score (SOMS), an algorithm to guide and facilitate early mobilization to advance
mobility of SICU patients (NCT01363102). In addition, we have established the use of bedside
ultrasound technology to quantify cross sectional area of the rectus femoris muscle, which
allows an objective, user-independent quantification of muscle wasting (NCT02270502).

In this study we measure the dose of mobility, defined as a function of both the mobility
provided by nursing and physical therapists (e.g., sitting at the edge of the bed,
ambulating) as well as its duration. We will build on an existing mobility intensity
quantification tool (NCT01674608) and add a domain that quantifies its duration in order to
obtain a broad picture of the mobilization of patients on the SICU. The mobility dose is
expressed by the mobility quantification score that has been developed by our team. We will
then test the hypotheses that mobilization dose in the ICU predicts discharge disposition,
defined as discharge to facilities providing long-term care assistance for daily activities,
including nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities, hospice at the patient's home,
hospice in a health care facility; or in-hospital mortality. Further we will evaluate the
association between mobility dose and cross sectional area of the rectus femoris muscle
measured by bedside ultrasound as a potential reflection of ICU-acquired muscle weakness
(exploratory outcome).

Mobilization Quantification score: MQS (Detailed table linked in reference section)

This score integrates the highest rated activities within each mobility session - from
physical therapy and nursing. By multiplying the scale it gets greater and allows a better
interpretation of mobility intensity. It adds value of mobility dose across sessions
considering the entire spectrum of active participation of the patient over the day.

Some specifics:

- If patient achieves a level in between predefined MQS levels we score the closest lower
level

- We collect mobility data for the night time by interviewing the day nurses and asking
them about the patients' mobilization also during night time

- We round up the duration of each mobility session: Passive range of motion (PRM)
conducted 4 times during the day counts as: 1*4=4 (corresponding to 4 units/hours)

- For each session, we calculate the highest mobility level for the duration of the
mobility session: e.g. Patient is standing for 5 minutes before s/he walks with 2
assists for 10 minutes: 3*7=21 (adding up the duration of various activities within a
session and multiplying it by the highest achieved mobility level). Sitting passively in
the chair is an exception (see below).

Sitting:

- Sitting in the chair counts as a separate session. Per sitting session a maximum of 2
hours are counted. For example: if a patient was sitting for a duration of either 2, 4
or 5 hours, we would always count: 2*4=8

- For patients stepping/shuffling/walking to the chair we use level 5 every time the
patient is doing it. E.g. patient is shuffling to the chair, sitting for 2 hours and
then walking back: 5*1+2*4+5*1 =28

- Distinct sitting sessions are defined by the patient being back in bed in between the
sessions of sitting in the chair. E.g. the patient gets actively to chair by
stand-step/shuffle, sits in chair for 6 hours, during sitting session patient gets up
twice and afterwards gets back to bed by stand-step/shuffle:

5*1(to chair)+2*4(sitting)+5*1(back to bed)+5*2(standing up 2x in between)=28

Inclusion Criteria:

- Adults (18 years of age or greater)

- Barthel score ≥70 from a proxy describing patient function 2 weeks before admission

- Expected stay on the ICU of >=3 days

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients transferred from other hospitals, long-term rehabilitation facilities or
nursing homes with a preceding stay of more than 48 hours

- Hospitalization 1 month prior to ICU admission >7 days

- Discussion about changing the goals of care from cure to comfort

- High risk of persistent brain injury (GCS<5 motor component and presence of TBI)

- Patients with neurodegenerative diseases

- Subjects with absence of a lower extremity

- Patients with paraplegia or tetraplegia

- Pregnancy