No description available.

Critically ill patients can be prescribed bed rest as a therapeutic intervention. Immobility from bed rest can cause neuromuscular deconditioning and weakness. Preventing immobility by implementing mobilization activities may prevent these complications from occurring. Currently, mobility protocols are lacking. The purpose of this literature review is to analyze the evidence related to mobilizing patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In the future, a standard mobility protocol should be instituted for critically ill patients indicating when and how to begin mobilization. The efficacy of mobility protocols relies on an interdisciplinary team for positive outcomes to prevent complications of inactivity and promote patient safety. Future implementation of mobilization can decrease patients' lengths of stay and extensive rehabilitation from inactivity. Nursing education, practice and research should focus on interventions to prevent complications of immobility by identifying mobilization techniques, safety approaches and the use of protocols.