Financial implications of a hospital early mobility program

Decades of advancements in critical care medicine have led to dramatic mortality and morbidity reductions in intensive care units (ICU). Unfortunately, significant advances in neuromuscular and neurocognitive functional recovery have lagged behind [1], despite broad evidence demonstrating that patients who survive critical care admissions may have long-term function declines, and increased long-term morbidity and mortality [2]. Early mobility programs (EMP) have been shown to improve patient clinical outcomes; however, a lack of evidence associated with financial outcomes has served as a barrier to investment for program implementation [3].