Abstract 13123: Early Mobilization of Older Adults in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background: Early mobilization (EM) is beneficial in general critical care units and in older hospitalized patients, but little is known about EM in older adults with acute cardiovascular disease. Methods: Consecutive admissions of adults ≥ 80 years old to a cardiac ICU at an academic tertiary care centre before (January to December 2017) and after (February 2018 to June 2019) implementation of a structured nurse-driven EM program. Mobility was measured using the validated Level of Function (LOF) Mobility Scale, which ranges from 0 (bed immobile) to 5 (able to walk > 50 feet). The primary outcome was discharge home. Results: There were 412 patients included (N=234, intervention; N=178, preintervention). There was no difference in mean age between groups (overall mean age 86.3±4.8 years old) or sex (overall female N=215, 52.2%). In the intervention group, functional impairment was present in 89 patients (38.0%) prior to hospitalization and in 209 patients (89.3%) on admission. Nearly half of patients undergoing EM (N=107; 45.7%) improved their LOF by ≥1 during cardiac ICU stay. Mobilization occurred during nearly all opportunities (838/850; 98.6%) and most mobility activities were completed (2,207/2,553; 86.4%). Adverse events were rare (5/2,207 activities [0.2%]) and transient (N=5). There were no falls, line dislodgements, or healthcare team injuries). Patients in the intervention group were more likely than patients in the preintervention group to be discharged home (74.4% vs. 65.7%, P=0.047, respectively) and had a lower rate of in-hospital death (6.4% vs. 14.6%, P=0.006, respectively). There was no difference in length of hospital stay or re-admission. In the multivariable analysis, predictors of discharge home were younger age, heart failure, and higher prehospital LOF. Outcomes were similar in adults ≥ age 90. Conclusion: EM is safe in older adults in the cardiac ICU and is associated with reduced discharge to healthcare facility and in-hospital mortality.