Loading...
Recommended Citation
DePrey V, Maszka T. Going the Extra Mile: Roadtrip to Improved Outcomes. Evidence Based Practice podium presentation at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Presentation Notes
Evidence Based Practice podium presentation at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Abstract
Background
Patient mobility is a critical factor in improving patient outcomes. Nurse leaders at a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, community hospital identified concerning trends: increasing discharges to subacute facilities, prolonged length of stay (LOS), and rising rates of healthcare-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI). Concurrently, the hospital was underperforming in nurse-driven mobility compared to similar-sized hospitals.
Purpose
This initiative, dubbed “Mobility Roadtrip,” aimed to increase nurse-driven patient mobility, distance, and ambulation frequency to evaluate its effectiveness on key outcomes including LOS, HAPI rates, and discharge destination.
Implementation Plan
Over three months, four inpatient units (two medical-surgical, one observation, and one intensive care) participated in an initiative linking ambulation distances to local destinations, including Purple Door Ice Cream, American Family Field, Mars Cheese Castle, and Six Flags. Units earned themed rewards for reaching each destination, including tickets and prizes. Weekly data focused on patients with activity orders, excluding non-ambulatory or patients with orders for bedrest. Safe ambulation was achieved by using the Comprehensive Mobility Evaluation Tool and additional Level of Assistance Tool.
Outcomes
Median miles ambulated by nursing increased from 9.3 to 12.8 miles/month, and patients with hallway ambulation rose from 63.9% to 76.7%. LOS decreased 5.2 to 4.9 days, home discharges increased 51.8% to 54.2%, and HAPI rates per 1,000 patient days decreased 3.18 to 0.60. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in miles ambulated (p = 0.010), distance documented (p = 0.002), and HAPI rates (p = 0.031). However, LOS, hallway ambulation, and discharge home showed insignificant differences (p = 0.468, p = 0.198, p = 0.453, respectively).
Implications
The Mobility Roadtrip demonstrated that themed competitions boost staff engagement, improving patient mobility and clinical outcomes. Ongoing efforts include weekly mobility tracking and quarterly themed competitions, focusing on ambulation distance and consistency, with nursing surpassing therapy miles for eight consecutive months.
Document Type
Oral/Podium Presentation
Publication Date
11-12-2025
Going the Extra Mile: Roadtrip to Improved Outcomes
Background
Patient mobility is a critical factor in improving patient outcomes. Nurse leaders at a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, community hospital identified concerning trends: increasing discharges to subacute facilities, prolonged length of stay (LOS), and rising rates of healthcare-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI). Concurrently, the hospital was underperforming in nurse-driven mobility compared to similar-sized hospitals.
Purpose
This initiative, dubbed “Mobility Roadtrip,” aimed to increase nurse-driven patient mobility, distance, and ambulation frequency to evaluate its effectiveness on key outcomes including LOS, HAPI rates, and discharge destination.
Implementation Plan
Over three months, four inpatient units (two medical-surgical, one observation, and one intensive care) participated in an initiative linking ambulation distances to local destinations, including Purple Door Ice Cream, American Family Field, Mars Cheese Castle, and Six Flags. Units earned themed rewards for reaching each destination, including tickets and prizes. Weekly data focused on patients with activity orders, excluding non-ambulatory or patients with orders for bedrest. Safe ambulation was achieved by using the Comprehensive Mobility Evaluation Tool and additional Level of Assistance Tool.
Outcomes
Median miles ambulated by nursing increased from 9.3 to 12.8 miles/month, and patients with hallway ambulation rose from 63.9% to 76.7%. LOS decreased 5.2 to 4.9 days, home discharges increased 51.8% to 54.2%, and HAPI rates per 1,000 patient days decreased 3.18 to 0.60. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in miles ambulated (p = 0.010), distance documented (p = 0.002), and HAPI rates (p = 0.031). However, LOS, hallway ambulation, and discharge home showed insignificant differences (p = 0.468, p = 0.198, p = 0.453, respectively).
Implications
The Mobility Roadtrip demonstrated that themed competitions boost staff engagement, improving patient mobility and clinical outcomes. Ongoing efforts include weekly mobility tracking and quarterly themed competitions, focusing on ambulation distance and consistency, with nursing surpassing therapy miles for eight consecutive months.
Affiliations
SL SouthShore