Practice patterns of canadian physiotherapists mobilizing patients with external ventricular drains

Intracranial Pressure During Mobilization in a Patient With Postoperative Putaminal Hemorrhage: A Case Report

Rehabilitation and mobilization for patients with severe stroke, including postsurgical cases, are considered feasible if the intracranial pressure (ICP) remains below 20 mmHg. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated real-time ICP changes during mobilization in patients with postoperative putaminal hemorrhage. In this case report, we detail the ICP fluctuations observed during mobilization in a patient with postoperative putaminal hemorrhage. A 47-year-old man was diagnosed with left putaminal hemorrhage and underwent emergency craniotomy for hematoma evacuation (day 1). Postoperatively, the patient was managed using continuous ICP monitoring. Mobilization (sitting on the edge of the bed) began on day 3, during which time the ICP was evaluated. The preintervention ICP was well controlled, ranging from 13 to 15 mmHg. During the transition to the sitting position, the patient attempted to rise on his own, leading to a transient ICP elevation exceeding 20 mmHg for approximately 20 seconds. While maintaining the sitting position, the ICP stabilized at approximately 5 mmHg without sustained elevation. The blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs remained stable throughout the intervention period. Our findings suggest that mobilization to a sitting position may be feasible without inducing sustained ICP elevation when ICP is well controlled.

Quality Improvement in the Management of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Current State and Future Directions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage carries high mortality and morbidity. Quality improvement (QI) efforts in the management of this disease process are growing as the field of neurocritical care matures. This review provides updates in QI in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and discusses gaps and future directions.

RECENT FINDINGS

Literature published on the topic over the past 3 years were evaluated. An assessment of current QI practices pertaining to the acute care of SAH was conducted. These include processes surrounding acute pain management, inter-hospital coordination of care, complications during the initial hospital stay, role of palliative care, and quality metrics collection, reporting, and monitoring. SAH QI initiatives have shown promise by decreasing ICU and hospital lengths of stay, health care costs, and hospital complications. The review reveals substantial heterogeneity, variability, and limitations in SAH QI protocols, measures, and reporting. Uniformity in QI research, implementation, and monitoring will be crucial as disease-specific QI develops in neurological care.

Mobilization of Children with External Ventricular Drains: A Retrospective Cohort Study

The implementation of early mobility programs for children with critical illnesses has been growing. Children with acute neurologic conditions that result in the requirement of an external ventricular drain (EVD) may be excluded from attaining the benefits of early mobility programs due to the fear of adverse events. The purpose of this study was to examine the implementation, safety, and outcomes of children with EVDs mobilized by physical therapists. A single-site retrospective cohort study of children with EVDs mobilized by physical therapy (PT) was conducted. Patients aged 3–21 years who were hospitalized from September 2016 to December 2020 were included in this study. Results: Out of a total of 192 electronic health records with EVDs, 168 patients (87.5%) participated in 1601 early mobilization encounters led by physical therapists. No adverse events occurred due to mobilization. Patients mobilized more frequently by PT had a higher level of activity at discharge (p = 0.014), a shorter length of stay (p = 0.001), and a more favorable discharge (p = 0.03). The early mobilization of children with EVDs can be implemented safely without adverse events. Patients mobilized with an EVD are more functional at discharge, spend fewer days in the hospital, and have a more favorable discharge compared to those who do not receive PT.

An Integrative Review: Early Mobilization of Patients With External Ventriculostomy Drains in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at a high risk for immobility due to their high acuity and need for invasive devices including external ventriculostomy drains (EVDs). Prolonged patient immobilization is associated with poor outcomes. METHODS: Whittemore and Knafl's 5-stage framework was used to conduct an integrative review to synthesize findings from quantitative research studies on early patient mobilization for patients with EVDs in the neurological ICU. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist was used as the reporting guideline. RESULTS: In 12 studies, a total of 412 patients with EVDs in neurological ICUs were actively mobilized with a goal of progressing to ambulation. Mobilization out of bed with a ventriculostomy drain was safe and feasible without significant adverse events. CONCLUSION: There is a need to clarify best practices for early mobilization of patients with EVDs in the neurological ICU and to explore the influence of early mobilization on patients' rates of venous thromboembolism, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, catheter line-associated blood stream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and ventriculostomy-related infections. No studies measured the total time the EVD was clamped during the patient mobilization intervention or the total amount of cerebrospinal fluid drainage on the day of mobilization. Early mobilization of patients with EVDs in the neurological ICU who were permitted out of bed was universally safe and feasible, with minimal adverse events when safety checks were integrated into mobilization protocols.

Early Progressive Mobilization of Patients with External Ventricular Drains: Safety and Feasibility

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Early mobilization of critically ill patients has been shown to improve functional outcomes. Neurosurgery patients with an external ventricular drain (EVD) due to increased intracranial pressure often remain on bed rest while EVD remains in place. The prevalence of mobilizing patients with EVD has not been described, and the literature regarding the safety and feasibility of mobilizing patients with EVDs is limited. The aim of our study was to describe the outcomes and adverse events of the first mobilization attempt in neurosurgery patients with EVD who participated in early functional mobilization with physical therapy or occupational therapy.

METHODS

We performed a single-site, retrospective chart review of 153 patients who underwent placement of an EVD. Hemodynamically stable patients deemed appropriate for mobilization by physical or occupational therapy were included. Mobilization and activity details were recorded.

RESULTS

The most common principal diagnoses were subarachnoid hemorrhage (61.4%) and intracerebral hemorrhage (17.0%) requiring EVD for symptomatic hydrocephalus. A total of 117 patients were mobilized (76.5%), and the median time to first mobilization after EVD placement in this group of 117 patients was 38 h. Decreased level of consciousness was the most common reason for lack of mobilization. The highest level of mobility on the patient's first attempt was ambulation (43.6%), followed by sitting on the side of the bed (30.8%), transferring to a bedside chair (17.1%), and standing up from the side of the bed (8.5%). No major safety events, such as EVD dislodgment, occurred in any patient. Transient adverse events with mobilization were infrequent at 6.9% and had no permanent neurological sequelae and were mostly headache, nausea, and transient diastolic blood pressure elevation.

CONCLUSION

Early progressive mobilization of neurosurgical intensive care unit patients with external ventricular drains appears safe and feasible.

Knowledge of physiotherapists working in adult ICU on contraindications to mobilization

Abstract Introduction: Mobilization is an effective therapy to combat the deleterious effects of immobility, but not all patients are in a condition to be moved; thus, knowledge about contraindication criteria is fundamental. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of physiotherapists working in adult ICUs on contraindications to the mobilization of critical patients. Method: This was a cross-sectional study in which a survey was applied to physiotherapists working in an adult ICU in the city of Recife. Results: Out of the 36 criteria presented, only five were considered contraindication criteria. Clinical parameters were those that obtained higher frequency for not being considered criteria for contraindication, nor were there observed differences in the relation between the time of working in the ICU. Conclusion: Most physiotherapists did not consider the criteria presented as contraindications to mobilization, so that professional training in mobilization practices and the creation of protocols are necessary.

Early Ambulation in Patients With External Ventricular Drains: Results of a Quality Improvement Project

INTRODUCTION

Prolonged immobility in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) can lead to muscle wasting and weakness, longer hospital stays, increased number of days in restraints, and hospital-acquired infections. Increasing evidence demonstrates the safety and feasibility of early mobilization in the ICU. However, there is a lack of evidence in the safety and feasibility of mobilizing patients with external ventricular drains (EVDs). The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of early mobility in this patient population.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, observational study. All patients in the study were managed with standard protocols and procedures practiced in our ICU including early mobility. Patients with an EVD who received early mobilization were awake and following commands, had a Lindegaard ratio <3.0 or middle cerebral artery (MCA) mean flow velocity <120 cm/s, a Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) > 80 mm Hg, and an intracranial pressure consistently <20 mm Hg. Data were collected by physical therapists at the time of encounter.

RESULTS

Ninety patients with a total of 185 patient encounters were recorded over a 12-month period. The average time between EVD placement and physical therapy (PT) session was 8.3 ± 5.5 days. In 149 (81%) encounters, patients were at least standing or better. Patients were walking with assistance or better in 99 (54%) encounters. There were 4 (2.2%) adverse events recorded during the entire study.

CONCLUSION

This observational study suggests that PT is feasible in patients with EVDs and can be safely tolerated. Further research is warranted in a larger patient population conducted prospectively to assess the potential benefit of early mobility in this patient population.