title: The scope of physiotherapy services provided in public ICUs in Greece: A pilot study.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to determine the scope of physiotherapy services provided in Greek ICUs in Athens. A cross-sectional study was conducted with two postal questionnaires administered separately, one for ICU directors and one for ICU physiotherapists. Responses were received from 19 ICU directors and 103 physiotherapists employed in all the adult public mixed medical and surgical ICUs across Athens. The response rate for the survey completion was 100% for ICU directors and 68.7% for physiotherapists. The results showed a 1:50 to 1:12 range in the ratio of physiotherapists to ICU beds. Among the 19 ICUs, 15 (78.9%) employed physiotherapists on a rotational basis, while four (21.0%) retained them exclusively. On weekdays, all surveyed ICUs were covered by physiotherapists in the morning and 10/19 (52.6%) during the afternoon. On weekends, 12/19 (63.2%) of the surveyed ICUs reported physiotherapy care during the morning and 4/19 (21.0%) during both morning and afternoon. All 103 physiotherapists conducted airway clearance techniques and progressive mobilization, 92/103 (89.3%) were involved in extubating patients, 102/103 (99.0%) in passive and active range of motion exercises, and 61/103 (59.2%) in walking. In conclusion, all Greek ICUs in Athens surveyed had physiotherapy cover. The physiotherapists working in these ICUs in Athens were involved in respiratory care and mobilization.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physiotherapy , Technological and Educational Institution-TEI of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Eirini
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grammatopoulou
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physiotherapy , Technological and Educational Institution-TEI of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Theodoros N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Charmpas
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physiotherapy , Technological and Educational Institution-TEI of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Eftychia G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Strati
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physiotherapy , Technological and Educational Institution-TEI of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Tsamis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nikolaos
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physiotherapy , Technological and Educational Institution-TEI of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Afroditi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Evagelodimou
authors.affiliation: b Sismanogleio General Hospital, Amarousion , Athens, Athens , Greece.
authors.lastname: Vlassia Belimpasaki
authors.affiliation: c School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences , National and Kapodistrian University of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors.forename: Emmanouil K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Skordilis
mesh_terms: D039602:After-Hours Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006115:Greece; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000458:organization & administration*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012138:Respiratory Therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D016526:Workload
keywords: Chest physiotherapy; ICU; early mobilization; guidelines