Proposals by paramedical staff to initiate rehabilitation in patients with critical illnesses on mechanical ventilation

Background: Previous studies have reported that early rehabilitation improves the functional outcome of patients with critical illnesses. Moreover, some studies have also suggested that interprofessional collaboration is associated with improved outcomes of patients with critical illnesses. In Hiroshima University Hospital, the physical therapists are stationed at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The paramedical staff, including physical therapists and nurses, makes proposals for initiating physical therapy to the physicians. However, the effect of proposals that physical therapy be initiated in patients with critical illnesses is unclear.