Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the functional mobility (FM) both on awakening and at intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. Secondarily, it aimed to explore the correlation between FM with deep sedation, mechanical ventilation, ICU delirium and absolute bed rest. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was performed in a medical and surgical ICU for one year among mechanically ventilated patients with previous functional independence. The FM was assessed with the Functional Status Score for the Intensive Care Unit (FSS-ICU) on awakening and at ICU discharge. Limb strength was assessed with the Medical Research Council Sum Score (MRC SS).Results: From the 80 patients analyzed, the FSS-ICU resulted with 17 points on awakening and 26 points at ICU discharge. Exploration between FSS-ICU on awakening and deep sedation showed a negative correlation (rho= 0.39; p=0.000). Exploration between the FSS-ICU at ICU discharge and days on mechanical ventilation showed a negative correlation (rho=0.36; p=0.001), as well as the presence of ICU delirium (rho=0.25; p=0.027) and days with absolute bed rest (rho= 0.31, p=0.005). When exploring the presence of intensive care unit acquired weakness (ICU-AW) on awakening and the number of days under deep sedation, there was a statistically significant association (odds ratio = 0.1 [95% CI 0.035 to 0.275]).Conclusions: Approximately one in four patients had ICU-AW and one in five patients were discharged from the ICU without being able to walk or with complete assistance.