30 May Mobilizing Hospitalized Cancer Patients Improved Patients Satisfaction

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Smith

Cardinale Smith, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology and
Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York 

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Cancer patients are often hospitalized with complications from cancer and cancer treatment. Physical decline is common among hospitalized cancer patients and contributes to poorer outcomes including increased length of stay, excess days, readmissions and patient experiences.  Therefore, increased activity and mobilization during hospitalization are essential to prevent functional decline.

Whereas previous research has focused on risk factors that limit mobility and interventions for enhancing mobility in well-functioning, community dwelling older adults, there have been limited interventions on the mobility of hospitalized cancer patients.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: Comparing patients that received the mobility aide to patients in the prior 6 month period, there was a 6% reduction in excess days. Similarly, readmission rates decreased from 25% to 19%. Overall 76% of patients either maintained or improved their mobility score.  During this time period patient experience scores (willingness to recommend hospital) increased from 63% at baseline to 91% .

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Use of this mobility program resulted in a significant decrease in healthcare utilization and improvement in patient experience.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: This demonstrates that non-PT professionals can mobilize hospitalized cancer patients decreasing the burden of physical therapy and nursing resources. Future work will evaluate the sustainability of the program and evaluate association with healthcare costs.

Disclosures – speaker fees from Teva Pharmaceutical

Citation: ASCO 2020 Virtual Conference Abstract

DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.7008 Journal of Clinical Oncology 38, no. 15_suppl (May 20, 2020) 7008-7008.

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Last Updated on May 30, 2020 by Marie Benz MD FAAD