End PJ Paralysis campaign at Loughlinstown hospital
STAFF members at St Columcille’s Hospital in Loughlinstown wore their pyjamas to work last week to launch the ‘End PJ Paralysis’ campaign.
They are encouraging patients to get up, get dressed and get moving, in order to reduce their stay in hospital.
‘One of the most valuable resources in healthcare is patients’ time. Through valuing patients’ time we can ensure that the relevant patients do not spend any time longer than is clinically necessary in hospital,’ said a spokesperson.
One way of acting to improve what may be a patient’s last 1,000 days is to focus on encouraging them when they are in hospital, where possible, to get dressed every day rather than remain in their pyjamas or hospital gown when they do not need to do so.
Wearing pyjamas for many patients reinforces the ‘sick role’ and can prevent a speedier recovery.
De-conditioning in hospitalised older patients can reduce mobility, cause loss of muscle strength, loss of independence and result in a longer stay in hospital.
Studies have shown that ten days of bed rest in hospital (acute or community) leads to the equivalent of ten years ageing in the muscles of people over 80.
Reasearch has also shown that some older patients had no medical reason for bed rest, and a 50 per cent increase in walking while in hospital was associated with a six per cent shorter length of stay.
The application of the ‘End PJ Paralysis’ initiative in a UK hospital led to a reduction in falls, pressure injuries, patient complaints and a shorter stay.