(155) Nursing Perception of Music Use During Mobility Sessions or Postoperative Patients: Wally's Project

Introduction: Postoperative cardiac patients with BMAT 3 and 4 at our institution typically walk in the hallway with nursing or physical therapy at least twice daily. This has been challenging due to postoperative pain, anxiety and deconditioning.
The use of music was suggested by Walled( Wally), one of the senior nurses to motivate the patient to complete the walks. The song "Eye of the Tiger" by American rock band Survivor was chosen by him for its motivation lyrics and for its upbeat music.

Methods: We surveyed 60 of our full time cardiac surgery ICU nurses on the use of music during the postoperative mobility sessions in the ICU.
Google form was emailed with seven standard question and a field for free text suggestions.
the survey was open for one month after which responses were collected and analyzed.

Results: Out of 60 surveys, we received 35 responses. the results were as follows:
35/35 thought that music will motivate patients to do more during their ICU mobility sessions.
29/35 agreed that music will increase the staff engagement and motivation to walk the patient
Only 5/35 thought music will be distracting/annoying to the staff
29/35 agreed that the step down unit should adapt the use of music during their mobility sessions as well
15/35 liked to play music for only one mobility session/day/patient
26/35 Would prefer to hear a different song/music for the second mobility session
35/35 agreed not to play music during there is an active code/open chest in the unit, after 7 pm and before 7 AM , during rounding and huddle time, and when there are grieving family members.
Suggestions included: standardizing the music volume and including the patient in the decision to play music and the choice of the music to play.
Additional notes by responders pointed out the positive psychological effect of music on the patients, families and the entire ICU staff.

Conclusions: Music use during postoperative mobility sessions are well perceived by ICU nursing and it could be used as a motivational tool for both the patient and the staff, in addition it could bring positivity and uplift the patient and the team mood without disturbing to the ICU environment.