Validity and Usefulness of an Electronic Health Care Record-Generated Mobility Ambulation Tool: The Human Body Was Designed to Move.

Background: Mobility is a vital function of human life. Nurses have an essential role in preventing hospitalized patient complications through movement and ambulation. Purpose: This study examined the integration, accuracy, and precision of a paper-based mobility/ambulation tool into an electronic health record (EHR) to assess inpatient mobility/ambulation status. Methods: This multisite mixed-methods study was a time-series correlational evaluation of a mobility/ambulation tool into the EHR. Results: Sustainability data revealed strong correlations between nurse responses and EHR levels (r = 0.602; scores r = 0.624). Cronbach's α values were 0.737 and 0.761. Nurses' anecdotes supported the findings. Conclusion: Findings revealed that the EHR-Mobility Ambulation Tool is a valid, reliable, and stable tool. EHR-generated scores can assist in reducing charting burden, care planning, and inform the interdisciplinary health team at all patient care stages. Tool adoption could potentially assist nurses plan interventions suitable to maintain or increase hospitalized patients' mobility status and contribute to discharge planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]