Which item is a barrier to early mobility in the ICU related to the healthcare team?

• A. Practitioner knowledge deficit
• B. Patient factors
• C. Time/Productivity/Staffing
• D. Culture of the institution and medical team

Answer: (A)

Gaps in what clinicians know about safely mobilizing ICU patients directly shape whether early mobility is started. When team members aren’t confident about eligibility criteria, monitoring parameters, or the correct progression, they may hesitate or delay activity, even when it’s appropriate. This knowledge deficit can stem from limited training on mobility protocols, fear of adverse events, or uncertainty about how to coordinate with different disciplines (nurses, therapists, physicians).

While patient factors (pain, sedation, delirium), time and staffing pressures, and the overall culture of the institution affect mobility in practical ways, they are not the same as a lack of clinician knowledge. Improving this barrier involves targeted education, clear and widely shared protocols, and opportunities for hands-on practice and interprofessional coordination so the team can move patients safely and sooner.