Low hospital mobility-resurgence of an old epidemic within a new pandemic and future solutions.

Low mobility during hospitalisation poses risks of functional decline and other poor outcomes for older adults. Given the pervasiveness of this problem, low mobility during hospitalisation was first described as 'dangerous' in 1947 and later described as an epidemic. Hospitals have made considerable progress over the last half-century and the last two decades in particular, however, the COVID-19 pandemic presents serious new challenges that threaten to undermine recent efforts and progress towards a culture of mobility.

Improving the assessment and documentation of patient mobility using a quality improvement framework.

Objective: To implement a system for assessing and documenting patient mobility in an inpatient geriatric unit using a quality improvement framework.

Methods: Whiteboards incorporating the Johns Hopkins Highest Level of Mobility scale were placed on each door of the unit. Staff were trained to assess and document patient mobility, and documentation compliance was measured.