IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science (IOSR-JNHS) e-ISSN: 2320–1959.p- ISSN: 2320–1940 Volume 10, Issue 4 Ser. IV (Jul. – Aug. 2021), PP 10-15 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/1959-1004041015 www.iosrjournals.org 10 | Page Nurses’ Knowledge and Perceived Barriers Regarding Early Mobilization of Patient Under Mechanical Ventilation In Teaching Hospitals Soni K.C. 1 , Nisha Sharma 2 1 lecturer, School of Nursing, Chitwan Medical College, Tribhuvan University, Nepal 2 Senior Staff Nurse , , Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital, Nepal Corresponding Author: Soni K.C.,Lecturer, School of Nursing, Chitwan Medical College, Tribhuvan University, Nepal; Abstract: Background: Early Mobilization (EM) in critical settings is defined as any activities beyond range of motion that is initiated within 48 hours of mechanical ventilation and continue during the ICU stay by the health care provider. Immobility during bed rest and the inflammatory response during critical illness is associated with the development of Intensive care unit Acquired Weakness (ICUAW). This study aimed to find out nurses’ knowledge and perceived barriers regarding early mobilization of patient under mechanical ventilation. Materials and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among nurses working in two teaching hospitals of Chitwan. A total of 100 nurses were selected by using non probability consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected by using structured self- administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 20 using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results: The findings of the study revealed that 63% of nurses were ≥ 22 years of age, 64% of the nurses had completed Proficiency Certificate Level in Nursing and only 37% had received in-service education regarding early mobilization of patient under mechanical ventilation. Regarding the level of knowledge 40% of the nurses had poor knowledge, 19% had fair knowledge and 41% had good knowledge regarding early mobilization of patient under mechanical ventilation. There was no statistical significance between knowledge and selected variables. Similarly, the most common barriers for not mobilizing patient under mechanical ventilation were inadequate nurse patient ratio (87%) and lack of mobility protocol (85%) in the ward. Conclusion: Nearly half of the nurses still have poor level of knowledge regarding early mobilization of patient under mechanical ventilation. Hence there is an immense need to organize continuous in-service education for nurses to enhance their knowledge regarding early mobilization of patient under mechanical ventilation. Key Word: Knowledge, Barriers, Nurses, Early mobilization --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 11-07-2021 Date of acceptance: 27-07-2021 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Advances in critical care has resulted in improved Intensive Care Unit (ICU) mortality resulting in a growing number of ICU survivors. Despite the progression in the survival rate, ICU survivors are living with long term sequel of critical illness. 7 ICU survivors who have gone through prolong bed rest or immobility are living with impaired physical mobility and low quality of life. 9 Multiple studies have shown that immobility during bed rest and the inflammatory response during critical illness is associated with the development of Intensive Care Unit acquired weakness (ICUAW). ICUAW refers to the acute onset of diffuse, symmetric, generalized muscle weakness that develops after the onset of critical illness without other identifiable cause. 7,11 ICUAW has been reported to be as high as 57% depending on the ICU population studies. 11 ICUAW is associated with increase duration of mechanical ventilation and weaning, longer ICU and hospital stay and increase mortality, these physical impairment may last after years of discharge. So early mobilization is one of the safe and feasible method to improve functional outcome of patient. 7 EM helps to improve physiological wellness of ventilated patient, preserve muscle strength and mass, enhance insulin activity and glucose uptake and stimulate production of cytokines. 4,8,9 Despite the safety and feasibility of early mobilization, most ICU patient remain immobilized for longer period of time. 3 As there exists the fact that mobilizing critically ill patient is not without risk. However with all the consequences, EM in critical setting is novel and it increases the positive outcome for high-risk patients. 1 Translating available knowledge into clinical practice remains a serious problem because of numerous: patient level, institutional level and clinician level barriers. Since EM is believed to have multi-professionals cooperation from doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists &