BACKGROUND Ambulating medical inpatients may improve outcomes, but this practice is often overlooked by nurses who have competing clinical duties. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of dedicated mobility technician‐assisted ambulation in older inpatients. DESIGN This study was a single‐blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING Patients aged ≥60 years and admitted as medical inpatients to a tertiary care center were recruited. INTERVENTION Patients were randomized into two groups to participate in the ambulation protocol administered by a dedicated mobility technician. Usual care patients were not seen by the mobility technician but were not otherwise restricted in their opportunity to ambulate. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcomes were length of stay and discharge disposition. Secondary outcomes included change in mobility measured by six‐clicks score, daily steps measured by Fitbit, and 30‐day readmission. RESULTS Control (n = 52) and intervention (n = 50) groups were not significantly different at baseline. Of patients randomized to the intervention group, 74% participated at least once. Although the intervention did not affect the primary outcomes, the intervention group took nearly 50% more steps than the control group (P = .04). In the per protocol analysis, the six‐clicks score significantly increased (P = .04). Patients achieving ≥400 steps were more likely to go home (71% vs 46%, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS Attempted ambulation three times daily overseen by a dedicated mobility technician was feasible and increased the number of steps taken. A threshold of 400 steps was predictive of home discharge. Further studies are needed to establish the appropriate step goal and the effect of assisted ambulation on hospital outcomes.

The awareness, diagnosis and management of chronic oedema and lymphoedema is improving. The enduring treatment format for the condition has always been regarded as the 'four cornerstones' of care for maintenance therapy in the UK. However, with changes in technology, availability of additional treatments and increased research and studies, this baseline is changing. This article outlines some of the recent changes and advancement in diagnostic tools and new technologies used in diagnosing and managing lymphoedema and chronic oedema. Emerging therapies will be introduced, as will other aspects of care that may now be considered 'essential care' in the management of lymphoedema and chronic oedema. KEY WOrDsw Lymphoedema w Essential care w Advanced assessment

The purpose of this article is to discuss the use of custom made compression garments in the management of lymphoedema and chronic oedema. Patients often present to therapists with inappropriate, ill-fitting garments that can contribute to an increase in oedema and poor limb shape. Patients frequently report garments as being uncomfortable and therefore intolerable leading to a lack of concordance with wearing garments. The selection and fitting of the correct garment can affect outcomes and the patients' quality of life. The focus of this article is to increase the health professionals' knowledge and skills in the selection, measurement and fitting of custom made garments to ensure correct fit and increased concordance when compression garments are prescribed. KEY WORDS Chronic oedema w lymphoedema w flat knit compression garments w static stiffness

A short skills practice workshop can be incorporated into a busy clinical curriculum to achieve changes in trainee behaviors and attitudes.

The MCID ranged from 3.3 to 5.1 for the AM-PAC basic mobility version and 3.5 to 4 for the adapted version, with the MDC as the lower limit. Changes in the AM-PAC for people with low back pain may be interpreted using the estimated MCID. Future studies are needed to determine the AM-PAC MCID for populations other than those with low back pain.