End PJ Paralysis

About #EndPJParalysis

#EndPJParalysis is a global movement to help patients get up, dressed and moving. It aims to get patients out of bed, dressed in their own clothes, and, when possible, moving rather than lying in bed.

Health Benefits of Getting Up, Dressed, and Moving
The benefits of the two main focus areas of #EndPJParalysis are:

  1. Encouraging patients to get up, dressed and moving.
    Mobility is a key component of patient recovery and overall good health. Moving as much as possible while recovering in hospital is essential for maintaining muscle strength and maintaining overall better health.
  2. Giving patients the choice to wear their own clothes during their hospital stay.
    Hospital gowns can leave patients feeling exposed and uncomfortable. We want to change that as much as possible. Dignity and respect are key components of Lakeridge Health’s Guiding Principles of Partnership and philosophy of person-centred care. We, as health care teams, want our patients to wear their own clothes while in hospital* to maintain their dignity and help them feel as comfortable as possible during their hospital stay.

*Note: gowns must be worn for surgeries and diagnostic imaging such as Xrays, MRI scans, etc.

What are the negative effects of PJ Paralysis?
PJ Paralysis can cause what’s called “deconditioning”. Deconditioning is a medical term that refers to physical deterioration such as muscle weakness, loss of muscle mass, and loss of ability to perform routine tasks such as getting dressed or going to the bathroom on one’s own. Deconditioning contributes to longer stays in hospital.

It is really important to limit the effects of deconditioning for our patients. Here are some reasons why:

  • Ten days of bed rest in hospital leads to the equivalent of 10 years aging in the muscles of people over 80 (Kortbein et al 2004 J Gerontology)
  • One study showed 60 per cent of immobile older patients had no medical reason that required bed rest (Graf 2006 Am J Nursing)

Frequently asked questions about PJ Paralysis are available here. For more information about how you can help, speak to a member of your health care team.