Early Mobilization, Early Ambulation, and Burn Therapy in the Acute Hospital Setting

Audrey O'Neil; Danika Hines; Emily Wirdzek; Cody Thornburg; Derek Murray; John Porter

doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2023.06.029

Early Mobilization, Early Ambulation, and Burn Therapy in the Acute Hospital Setting

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2023 Nov;34(4):733-754. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2023.06.029. Epub 2023 Jul 27.

Authors

Audrey O'Neil¹, Danika Hines², Emily Wirdzek², Cody Thornburg², Derek Murray³, John Porter⁴

Affiliations

¹ Burn Rehabilitation Services; Eskenazi Health, Richard M Fairbanks Burn Center, 720 Eskenazi Avenue, 4th Floor, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
² Burn Therapy, Valleywise, Valleywise Health, 2601 East Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA.
³ Burn Therapy, Valleywise, Valleywise Health, 2601 East Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA. Electronic address: Derek.Murray@valleywisehealth.org.
⁴ Physiatry, Valleywise, Valleywise Health, 2601 East Roosevelt Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA; Trauma and Burn Services, Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.

PMID: 37806694
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2023.06.029

Abstract

Rehabilitation therapies in the burn acute care environment continue to evolve. Immediate access to therapy is considered standard, and therapy is a key component of the transprofessional care team. Early positioning, edema management, and therapy care in the intensive care unit (ICU) environment can limit later complications; mobility in the ICU can be engaged safely using a systems-based approach in the absence of nondirectable agitation. Later in the course of acute care, early ambulation is an appropriate intervention that can improve outcomes.

Keywords: Burn positioning; Burn therapy; Early ambulation; Early mobility; Edema; Mobility safety.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Burns* / therapy
Early Ambulation*
Hospitals
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Walking