Utilization of a Wellness/Mobility Technician: Interprofessional Inpatient Oncology Population-Focused Quality Improvement Project

To best leverage improved outcomes identified by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement’s Triple Aim, including population health, patient experience, and healthcare cost, a team approach is needed to deliver high-quality cancer care. Interprofessional quality improvement projects can impact cancer populations such as inpatient medical oncology units. The purpose of this interprofessional quality improvement project was to focus on mobility and the potential to reduce functional decline in the medical oncology patient with the creation of a wellness/mobility technician role, defining standards for the ambulation of patients, and addressing accountability. This mobility project evaluated patient outcomes related to a reduction in iatrogenic conditions such as hospital-acquired pressure injuries and falls with injury, post-acute placement, and length of stay of the medical oncology admission. This pilot was completed on a medical oncology unit as a feasibility study.

Marcus P, Vonnes C, Mason TM, Hood K

Keywords: functional decline, mobility, mobility technician, oncology, quality improvement