Assisted Ambulation to Improve Health Outcomes for Older Medical Inpatients
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
The investigator proposes to conduct a randomized trial of supervised ambulation delivered by mobility technician (MT) up to three times daily, including weekends, to hospitalized medical patients. The aims of the study are to compare the short and intermediate-term outcomes of patients randomized to the intervention versus those patients randomized to receive usual care, to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from the intervention and to assess whether the intervention increases or decreases overall costs of an episode of care, including the cost of the MTs, the index hospitalization and the first 30 days post enrollment.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Participants must meet all of the inclusion criteria listed below to participate in this study: 1. ≥65 years of age 2. Admitted to a medical service 3. Complete history and physical examination on file 4. 6-Clicks score of 16-23 5. Insurance with Traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage Exclusion Criteria: Any patient meeting any of the exclusion criteria listed below at baseline will be excluded from study participation: 1. Significant language barrier that requires a translator (other than Spanish at Baystate site only) 2. Discharge planned for that day or the following day 3. Observation status 4. Surgical procedure planned 5. Patients diagnosed with unstable angina or other medical conditions precluding participation in exercise/ambulation 6. Permanent residence in a skilled nursing facility 7. Comfort care measures only 8. \>48 hours since admission 9. Active infection with COVID-19 10. Other active infection requiring contact or droplet precautions 11. Order