A Review of the Clothing Attire of Patients Admitted to a Rehabilitation Hospital

Background The End PJ Paralysis campaign is a global movement initiated in the United Kingdom in 2017 that aims to highlight the importance of getting patients dressed and out of bed to reduce the risk of physical deconditioning and promote their independence and improve overall well-being. This audit aims to review the number of patients in a rehabilitation hospital wearing their own clothes and sitting out of their beds during a single evening meal time. Methods We reviewed the clothing attire and location for the evening meal of all patients admitted onto two geriatric medicine rehabilitation wards on a single day. We completed a visual assessment of the patients attire including if they were in pyjamas or normal attire, their footwear and their location during an evening meal. We used a data collection tool to record this information. Results There were n=49 inpatients reviewed over 2 inpatient wards in a rehabilitation hospital. All patients were over the age of 65. N=44 (88%) were wearing normal clothing attire and n=5(12%) were in pyjamas. N=30 (61%) were in soled shoes, n=13 (26%) wore non-slip socks and n=6 (13%) were in normal socks. N=27 (55%) had their evening meal in the communal dining room, n=17 (33%) ate sitting in their chair at the bedside and n=5 (12%) ate dinner in bed. Conclusion This audit found that the majority of patients were appropriately dressed, including proper footwear, and were sitting out of bed for their evening meal. Given the fluctuating clinical status of patients in the hospital, some may not always wear optimal attire. The findings were presented during a departmental teaching session to emphasize the importance of addressing the topic of PJ paralysis and improving patient outcomes.