Mobilization Patterns of Patients After an Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

This study was aimed to identify the mobilization patterns of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients during their first three days in the coronary care unit (CCU) by performing a prospective observational pilot study design. The study included 31 diagnosed AMI patients admitted to three CCUs. Mobilization patterns classified as bed rest, semi-fowler, transfer to chair, and standing/walking were documented by CCU nurses for 72 consecutive hours after patient admission to the CCU. Of 2,232 possible mobilization periods (72 hr × 31 patients), 1,385 recorded observations of mobilization (62%) were obtained. Bed rest and semi-fowler positions were the most common mobilization patterns; together they accounted for 70% of the documented positions over the first 72 hr in the CCU. Patients who experience an uncomplicated AMI spend the majority of their first 72 hr in CCU in bed.