THIS week the physiotherapy team at the Alexandra Hospital donned their pyjamas at work to promote a campaign encouraging patients to get up, get dressed and keep moving.
#endPJparalysis is a national campaign which aims to help patients to get up, get dressed and keep moving in order to prevent them from deconditioning during their stay in hospital.
Deconditioning happens when people remain in bed for longer than necessary.
This impacts on mental and physical wellbeing, as well as increasing the risks of falls from muscle weakness and reduced balance.
It can cause disorientation, confusion, constipation, incontinence and swallowing and digestion problems, which can all lead to a longer stay in hospital than is necessary.
The campaign was launched by physiotherapists wearing their own pyjamas to work to highlight that patients (where possible) should be encouraged to be in their own clothes or pyjamas – not in hospital gowns and nightwear – to help promote a normal routine.
Stephanie Cooke, senior physiotherapist at Worcestershire’s hospitals said: “We work closely with the ward staff to help promote patients’ mobility and function by encouraging them to walk to the bathrooms, dress in their own clothes and sit upright in a chair at meal times.
“We know most patients are immobile for up to 90 per cent each day and this immobility has a negative impact not only to the patient, but also on the wider healthcare system as older patients often then require increased support upon discharge.”