Early mobilization in a pediatric intensive care unit and WeeFIM scores at rehabilitation: A retrospective study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between early mobility (EM) of pediatric patients mechanically ventilated and functional outcomes in rehabilitation using WeeFIM scores, as well as hospital length of stay (LOS), ICU LOS, and rehabilitation LOS. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 189 patients was completed to compare those who received EM interventions to those who did not in the ICU. Data extracted from the years 2015-2019 included: all patients who were between zero and 21 years, were mechanically ventilated via endotracheal tube (ETT) for > 48 hours, and then transferred to the comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation unit (IRU). RESULTS: For respiratory patients, the EM group had higher WeeFIM scores in all categories at admission to IRU compared to the comparison group. Neurosurgery patients had higher cognition and total WeeFIM scores in the EM group at admission to IRU. All diagnoses demonstrated shorter hospital, ICU, and IRU LOS for the comparison group versus the EM group. CONCLUSION: EM of mechanically ventilated pediatric patients with a primary respiratory diagnosis demonstrated improved function at admission to IRU compared to those who did not participate in EM. Prospective research needs to be done to examine this relationship further.