Flash Mobility

Project Topic:

Patient Mobility Through True Collaboration

Hospital, City and State:

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California

Unit:

Coronary Intensive Care Unit (CICU)

CSI Participants:

• Genevive Lorenzo Agsalud, BSN, RN
• Maddy Allana, BSN, RN, CCRN
• Paul Diaz, BSN, RN
• Victoria Dorris, MSN, RN

Project Goals/Objectives:

1. Increase early mobility in patients on the unit 30% through implementation of a standardized mobility protocol
2. Improve AACN Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT) True Collaboration standard 5%
3. Decrease fiscal impact and length of stay 50%

Project Outcomes:

1. Increased early mobilization of patients on the unit from 0% to 50% average over eight months
2. Increased HWEAT aggregate score from 4.62 to 5.18
3. Increased HWEAT True Collaboration score from 4.32 to 5.0
4. Increased all HWEAT standards
5. Decreased length of stay from 2.9 to 2.3 days
6. These outcomes resulted in a positive estimated annual fiscal impact of $42,074.

Project Overview:

The CSI team observed that patients in the CICU were not mobilizing three times a day, which may lead to deconditioning. We also noted there was a lack of collaboration with the interdisciplinary team that was evident in the HWEAT True Collaboration score. So, the CSI team decided to focus the project on improving patient mobilization by collaborating with our healthcare colleagues.

The CSI team created a mobilization tool to assist staff. Mobility champions were identified and provided 1:1 education. The team also created an ambulation station to assist staff with all the items needed to mobilize the patient. The station also served as a visual reminder to mobilize the patient. In addition, the CSI team created a Flash Mobilizer board to recognize staff who were mobilizing their patients.

As a result of these efforts, patient mobilization increased an average of 50%, and patient length of stay on the unit decreased from 2.9 to 2.3 days.