Implementation of a protocol facilitates evidence-based physiotherapy practice in intensive care units

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the physiotherapy service provided when therapists' decisions are guided by an evidence-based protocol with usual care (i.e. patient management based on therapists' clinical decisions). Design: Exploratory, controlled, pragmatic sequential time block clinical trial. Setting: Level 3 surgical unit in a tertiary hospital in South Africa. Participants: All patients admitted consecutively to the surgical unit over a 3-month period were allocated to usual or protocol care based on date of admission. Interventions: Usual care was provided by clinicians from the hospital department, and non-specialised physiotherapists were appointed as locum tenens to provide evidence-based protocol care. Main outcome measures: Patient waiting time, frequency of treatment sessions, tasks performed and adverse events. Results: During protocol-care periods, treatment sessions were provided more frequently (. P