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. 2022 Apr 15;12(4):e055285. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055285

Table 1.

Safety criteria for delivery of physical therapy interventions

Criteria to commence physiotherapy Criteria to stop/withhold physiotherapy intervention
Blood pressure Mean Arterial Blood Pressure (MAP) 60–100 mm Hg, no change in vasopressor dose requirement for preceding 2 hours Catecholamine-resistant hypotension with MAP <60 mm Hg
Heart rate Between 40 and 140 beats/min <50 or >140 beats/min
Respiratory rate Sustained <40 breaths/min Sustained >40 breaths/min
Temperature   >40°C
Oxygen requirement If Fraction inspired oxygen (FiO2)>0.8 for passive exercise only
  FiO2 <0.8 and (Positive End Expiratory Pressure) PEEP <15 cmH2O
Desaturation   Sats fall <85% for>1 min
Other  

  • Fall.

  • Unplanned extubation.

  • Acute bleeding.

  • New-onset arrhythmia.

  • Signs/symptoms of acute myocardial ischaemia.

  • Patient pain/distress.

  • Clinical team decides therapy intervention not appropriate.

  • Refusal by patient or representative.