Adaption of Mobilizing Older Adult Patients Via a Systems-based Intervention for a Non-Academic Hospital

Up to 65% of hospitalized older adults will lose the ability to ambulate independently during
their hospital stay. Loss of independent ambulation has been identified as a
hospital-acquired disability and is a critical patient safety concern, resulting in permanent
loss of function for 50% of older adults one-year post discharge. Functional loss is
associated with multiple negative outcomes including a 33% increase in new nursing home
placement, increase in length of hospital stay, need for home health services, falls,
caregiver burden, decreased quality of life, and increased mortality. Given the rapid
increase in the elderly population, loss of independent ambulation primarily due to the
process of care in hospital settings may significantly increase future healthcare costs and
further exacerbate concerns related to patient care quality.

Lack of walking during hospitalization has been directly linked to loss of independent
ambulation in older adults. Nurses are responsible for promoting and maintaining patient
independent mobility. However, our research has identified multiple personal and
organizational barriers that prevent nurses from walking patients. We have developed and
pilot tested a novel systems based multi-component intervention to improve ambulation of
older adult patients, Mobilizing Older adult patients Via a systems-based INtervention
(MOVIN). MOVIN is comprised of five components: 1) psychomotor skills training; 2)
communication tools; 3) ambulation pathways; 4) ambulation resources; and 5) unit ambulation
culture. Our pilot study of MOVIN demonstrated a statistically significant increase in
frequency and weekly distance of patient ambulation as well as changes in nursing practice
and unit culture. Notably, these changes have been sustained for greater than two years after
completion of the study.

Our goal is to translate our positive research results into an actionable implementation
package that can be used to disseminate MOVIN to hospitals nationwide and improve the quality
of care and functional outcomes for older adult patients. In pursuit of this goal, our
specific aims are to:

1. Adapt MOVIN and develop and refine a MOVIN toolkit for implementation in a non-academic
hospital.

2. Implement MOVIN in an inpatient adult general medical unit in a non-academic hospital
with an on-site clinical team leading the intervention and evaluate using the RE-AIM
framework to collect preliminary data for a future dissemination study.

3. Assess market demand for the intervention and develop a customer value statement in
collaboration with the ICTR Dissemination and Implementation Program.

Inclusion Criteria:

- age 65 years or older

- able to walk with or without assistance

- absence of a medical order for bedrest or activity restriction

- have an ambulation order

- able to speak and understand English.

Exclusion Criteria:

- activated Power of Attorney

- a score of 11+ on Orientation Memory Cognition Test (OMCT)

- a score <2 on a Mini Cog

- lower extremity amputation

- terminal diagnosis (Comfort Care)

- on hospice

- bed rest order

- wheelchair bound