ICU Mobility Barriers: What COVID-19 Taught Us
Rethinking Mobility in Critical Care The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped every aspect of intensive care, including one often-overlooked element — patient mobility . Traditionally, early mobility programs in ICUs help critically ill patients regain strength, prevent muscle atrophy, and reduce long-term disability. However, during the pandemic, strict infection control measures, patient isolation, and overwhelming workloads created new barriers. What emerged from this crisis was a clearer understanding of how crucial mobility is — not just for recovery, but for resilience in healthcare systems. Physical and Logistical Barriers Exposed COVID-19 highlighted significant physical and environmental challenges in promoting mobility within ICUs. Ventilators, multiple infusion lines, prone positioning, and protective equipment made it difficult to move patients safely. Staff shortages and the high risk of viral transmission further restricted physical therapy sessions. Many ICUs had to balance th...