Barriers to early mobilization perceived by health staff in a pediatric intensive care unit of a high complexity hospital

Introduction

Hospitalization in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) entails functional complications for patients, derived from various factors that increase the risk of morbidities and may affect the patient's functional prognosis. Early mobilization has been described as a safe, feasible practice with great benefits in the short and long term; however, research has identified that there are barriers that limit the actions of health professionals.

Objective

Determine the main barriers perceived by health personnel for early mobilization in the pediatric ICU of a high-complex hospital of the city of Cali during the year 2022.

Methods

Cross-sectional descriptive study. 60 health care professionals who work in the PICU were surveyed with prior informed consent.

Results

The main barriers were lack of staff training, lack of knowledge of the main actors for early mobilization, perception that mobilization increases the workload for nurses and physiotherapists, medical contraindications for mobilization.

Conclusions

There is a need to implement educational and organizational interventions in the PICU to overcome the identified barriers. Training staff, clarifying roles and responsibilities, as well as promoting a culture that values early mobilization could be effective strategies to improve the implementation of this practice and, therefore, reduce complications associated with hospitalization.