Intermediate
Technical
IVT
Ambulation
The act of walking or moving from place to place, often used in clinical documentation to describe a patient's mobility status.
Full Definition
Ambulation refers to a patient's ability to walk independently or with assistance. In physical therapy documentation, therapists must specify the type of ambulation (independent, supervised, or assisted) and any assistive devices used. The term is commonly used in progress notes and discharge summaries to track mobility improvements. Proper editorial usage requires consistent capitalization in headings and accurate distinction from related terms like locomotion or gait.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify the level of assistance and distance when documenting ambulation status.
In Context
- "Patient demonstrates independent ambulation for 150 feet with rolling walker." — Progress note
- "Ambulation training will focus on stair negotiation and uneven surfaces." — Treatment plan
Also known as
walking
mobility
locomotion
Contrasted with
immobilization
bedrest
Don't confuse with
gait
locomotion
mobility