Primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe and life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate, reaching up to 50% within the first month. Survivors are often at risk of long-term disability due to the extensive brain damage caused by the hemorrhage. Unlike ischemic stroke patients, ICH patients are typically younger, face longer hospital stays, and are more likely to experience acute complications. Modern treatment approaches have shifted from focusing solely on reducing mortality to minimizing disability and enhancing functional outcomes through early rehabilitation. However, the optimal timing and intensity of early mobilization remain unclear, especially for patients with severe ICH, where medical stability is a major concern. Delays in initiating rehabilitation may limit neuroplasticity and hinder recovery, prompting the need for a structured, multidisciplinary approach to early mobilization in ICH patients. Objective : This quality improvement (QI) initiative aimed to enhance early mobilization in ICH patients by implementing a structured clinical pathway in an academic stroke center. The goal was to integrate evidence-based early mobilization pathways to improve patient mobility outcomes while ensuring safety through standardized assessments of cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological stability.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
198
Patients recieved a structured early mobilization pathway was introduced. The pathway included standardized assessments for patient stability and phased rehabilitation, progressing from passive to active mobilization.
National Taiwan University Hospital
Tiapei, Taiwan
Modified ICU mobility scale
The Modified ICU Mobility Scale is used to assess the level of mobility in ICU patients, with scores ranging from 0 to 10. A higher score indicates better mobility, where 0 represents no mobility (lying in bed, passive movements only), and 10 indicates independent ambulation without assistance.
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 12 weeks
the time to first mobilization
The time to first mobilization (in hours or days) will be assessed from hospital admission to the first documented mobilization event, measured through study completion, with an average follow-up period of 12 weeks.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 12 weeks
National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score
The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is used to assess stroke severity, with scores ranging from 0 to 42. A higher score indicates a worse neurological impairment, where 0 represents no stroke symptoms, and higher scores reflect increasing severity of stroke-related deficits.
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 12 weeks
Modified Rankin Scale (mRS)
The Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) is used to assess functional outcomes, with scores ranging from 0 to 6. A higher score indicates a worse outcome, where 0 represents no symptoms, and 6 indicates death.
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 12 weeks
Duration of ICU and hospital stays
The duration of ICU stay (in days) and total hospital stay (in days) will be assessed through study completion, with an average follow-up period of 12 weeks.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 12 weeks
ability to ambulate upon discharge
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 12 weeks
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