Assisted Early Mobility for Hospitalized Older Veterans: Preliminary Data from the STRIDE Program

作者:Hastings S Nicole*; Sloane Richard; Morey Miriam C; Pavon Juliessa M; Hoenig Helen
来源:Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2014, 62(11): 2180-2184.
DOI:10.1111/jgs.13095

摘要

An important contributor to hospital-associated disability is immobility during hospitalization. Preliminary results from STRIDE, a clinical demonstration program of supervised walking for older adults admitted to the hospital with medical illness, are reported. The STRIDE program consisted of a targeted gait and balance assessment by a physical therapist, followed by daily walks supervised by a recreation therapy assistant for the duration of the hospital stay. To examine program effectiveness, STRIDE participants (n=92) were compared with individuals referred but not enrolled (because of refusal or because program was at capacity, n=35). Median length of stay was 4.7days for STRIDE participants and 5.7days for individuals receiving usual care (P=.31). There was one inpatient fall in each group (not associated with a STRIDE walk). Overall, 92% of STRIDE participants were discharged to home (rather than a skilled nursing facility (SNF)) compared to 74% of individuals receiving usual care (P=.007). Thirty-day emergency department visit rates and readmission rates were not significantly different between the two groups. STRIDE, a supervised walking program for hospitalized older adults, was feasible and safe, and program participants were less likely to be discharged to a SNF than a demographically similar comparison group. STRIDE is a promising interdisciplinary approach to promoting mobility and improving outcomes in hospitalized older adults.

  • 出版日期2014-11