SPHM supports the basic human need to maintain independence through patient mobility. It is a key component to include in measures to improve patient and employee safety. Employee safety and satisfaction have an effect on patient safety, partly because injured or fatigued employees cannot be as effective taking care of patients.

When the human body is immobile, it deteriorates after a short period of time. Early and frequent patient mobility is essential to maintaining or restoring patient health. The earlier a patient is mobilized (particularly getting the patient up on his or her feet and walking), the better the outcome. The weight of evidence supports the positive effect of mobility on the quality and speed of a patients’ recovery and on the patient's ability to preserve current levels of physical capability.

Early and progressive mobility can include the following:

• Moving limbs through their full range of motion to preserve joint flexibility.
• Ambulating patients as early and as often as possible.