Deconditioning, caused by bed rest without proper ambulation, can be debilitating to patients who later attempt to reambulate to normal, active life. Failure to ambulate patients has been linked to new-onset delirium, pneumonia, delayed wound healing, decubitus ulcers, increased length of stay and delayed discharge, increased pain and discomfort, muscle wasting and fatigue, and physical disability. Frequent, aggressive and effective ambulation has been shown to increase local perfusion, tissue oxygen levels and bowel movements, thus preventing venous thromboembolism and ileus, both of which are significant causes of morbidity and mortality. The results of one study showed that exercise resulted in reduced lengths of stay and patients returning home instead of to nursing homes or other care facilities.