Application of the ICU Mobility Scale in patients submitted to cardiac surgery

Abstract

Introduction Early mobilization is an alternative used in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to reduce the effects of immobility. The Intensive Care Unit Mobility Score (IMS) is applied to assess mobility status. Objective To determine the functional level of ICU patients submitted to cardiac surgery using the IMS scale. Methods This is an analytical observational study carried out with adult ICU patients submitted to cardiac surgery. Data on the use of vasoactive drugs, functional level through IMS, duration of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay were collected from the physiotherapy routine form and recorded on a specific instrument developed for the study. The data obtained from the IMS scale score on the postoperative days in the ICU were used to classify the patients' mobility during the hospitalization period. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data. Results A total of 69 patients were evaluated, 43% of whom were men, and all had an SMI of 0 on the first postoperative day. Classification on the scale increased over the course of hospitalization (IMS between 7 and 10), despite the use of vasoactive drugs in 54.6% of the individuals. Conclusion Patients submitted to cardiac surgery admitted to the ICU had moderate-to-high mobility levels throughout their stay and at discharge from the ICU.