Immobility is a major risk factor for many complications related to being in an intensive care unit (ICU). Approximately 40% or more of muscle strength can be lost in the first week of being immobilized.1  Immobility and functional decline are associated with an increased risk of delirium, pneumonia, prolonged mechanical ventilation, pressure injuries, deep vein thrombosis, increased cardiac workload, reduction of cardiac output, decreased orthostatic tolerance, and increased production of proinflammatory cytokines.1,2 

Mobilizing patients who are receiving mechanical ventilation has been shown to be safe and effective in decreasing morbidity and mortality.3–5  Studies have demonstrated that routinely mobilizing these patients can reduce ventilator-associated events such as pneumonia, reduce the duration of ventilation, and reduce ICU and hospital length of stay.1–8  Despite the common perception of a risk of harm to the patient, a systematic review indicated that mobilizing patients in...

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