Early activity is feasible and safe in respiratory failure patients*

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether early activity is feasible and safe in respiratory failure patients. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: From June 1, 2003, through December 31, 2003, we assessed safety and feasibility of early activity in all consecutive respiratory failure patients who required mechanical ventilation for >4 days admitted to our respiratory intensive care unit (RICU). A majority of patients were treated in another intensive care unit (ICU) before RICU admission. We excluded patients who required mechanical ventilation for 200 mm Hg, systolic blood pressure 200 mm Hg, systolic blood pressure 100 feet at RICU discharge. Early activity is a candidate therapy to prevent or treat the neuromuscular complications of critical illness.