Mobilization of Vulnerable Elders in Ontario (MOVE ON) ARTIC Project

Rates of mobilization in patients admitted to acute care hospitals are unacceptably low. Studies show that hospitalized older adults who were ambulatory during the two weeks prior to admission spent a median of only 43 minutes per day standing or moving.

Without mobilization elderly patients lose 1 to 5% of muscle strength each day in hospital. In addition, one-third of older adults develop a new disability in an activity of daily living during hospitalization and half of these are unable to recover function. Data from observations on inpatient units conducted in 2010-2011 in academic hospitals in Toronto found that less than 30% of patients were mobilized regularly in hospital.

Developed jointly by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital, the CAHO MOVE ON ARTIC Project team is working collaboratively with 14 CAHO member hospitals to use an inter-professional approach that focuses on early and consistent mobilization of older patients through the hospital stay. This program promotes early mobilization and prevents further decline in older patients admitted to hospital.

Currently, the following hospitals are participating in the CAHO MOVE ON ARTIC Project: Baycrest Centre for Geratric Care, Hamilton Health Sciences, Health Sciences North, Kingston General Hospital, London Health Science Centre, Hôpital Montfort, Mount Sinai Hospital, North York General Hospital, The Ottawa Hospital, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, St. Michael’s Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and University Health Network.

CAHO MOVE ON ARTIC Project Package

A project participation information package has been developed to support hospitals participating in the CAHO MOVE ON ARTIC Project.