When a patient lies flat on her back facing up?

Patient positioning involves properly maintaining a patient’s neutral body alignment by preventing hyperextension and extreme lateral rotation to prevent complications of immobility and injury. When positioning a patient in bed, supportive devices such as pillows, rolls, and blankets, along with repositioning, can aid in providing comfort and safety.

Patient Positions in Medical Bed

Positioning a patient in a medical bed is a common procedure in the hospital. There are various positions possible for patients in bed, which may be determined by their condition, preference, or treatment related to an illness.

1. Supine position

In supine position, patient lies flat on back,legs may be extended or slightly bent with arms up or down. Additional support devices may be added for comfort. The supine position is commonly used for general examination or physical assessment.

2. Prone position

In prone position, patient lies on stomach with head turned to the side and the hips are not flexed. To support a patient lying in prone, place a small pillow under the head and a pillow under the legs.The prone position is used in medical settings to help patients with certain conditions and symptoms get relief.

3. Lateral position

The patient lies on the side of the body with the top leg over the bottom leg and the hip and knee flexed. This position helps relieve pressure on the coccyx. Support pillows are needed to correctly position the patient in a lateral position.

4. Sims position

The patient lies between lateral and prone with legs flexed in front of the patient. The lower arm is positioned behind the client, and the upper arm is flexed at the shoulder and the elbow. This position is usually used for rectal examination, treatments, enemas, and examining women for vaginal wall prolapse.

5. Fowler's position

Fowler's position is a standard patient position in which the patient is seated in a semi-sitting position (30-90 degrees) and may have knees either bent or straight. This is a common position to provide patient comfort and care.

There are several Fowler's  positions :

* Low Fowler's position: head of the bed raised 15-30 degrees. This position can be used post-procedure, to reduce lower back pain, administer drugs and prevent aspiration during tube feeding.

* Semi Fowler's position: head of the bed raised 30-45 degrees. Semi Fowler’s Position can be used when the patient faces difficulty breathing or is undergoing breathing treatments and when drainage occurs after an abdominoplasty.

* High Fowler's position (Full Fowler's position): head of the bed raised between 60 and 90 degrees. High Fowler's position is usually prescribed to elderly patients as it is scientifically proven to aid in the digestion process and help the patient overcome breathing problems.

6.Trendelenburg position

Place the head of the bed lower than the feet. The patient's arms should be tucked at their sides. This position is used in situations such as hypotension and medical emergencies. It helps promote a venous return to major organs such as the head and heart.

7.Reverse Trendelenburg Position

Place the head of the bed higher than the feet. It is the opposite of Trendelenburg's position. Reverse Trendelenburg is often used for patients with gastrointestinal problems as it helps minimize esophageal reflux.

Positioning a patient in bed is important for maintaining alignment and for preventing bed sores (pressure ulcers), foot drop, and contractures (Perry et al., 2014). Proper positioning is also vital for providing comfort for patients who are bedridden or have decreased mobility related to a medical condition or treatment. When positioning a patient in bed, supportive devices such as pillows, rolls, and blankets, along with repositioning, can aid in providing comfort and safety (Perry et al., 2014).

Patient Positions in Bed

Positioning a patient in bed is a common procedure in the hospital. There are various positions possible for patients in bed, which may be determined by their condition, preference, or treatment related to an illness. Table 3.6 lists patient positions in bed.

Table 3.6 Patient Positions in Bed

Position

Description

Supine positionPatient lies flat on back. Additional supportive devices may be added for comfort.Supine positionProne positionPatient lies on stomach with head turned to the side.Prone positionLateral positionPatient lies on the side of the body with the top leg over the bottom leg. This position helps relieve pressure on the coccyx.Lateral positionSims positionPatient lies between supine and prone with legs flexed in front of the patient. Arms should be comfortably placed beside the patient, not underneath.Sims positionFowler’s positionPatient’s head of bed is placed at a 45-degree angle. Hips may or may not be flexed. This is a common position to provide patient comfort and care.Fowler’s positionSemi-Fowler’s positionPatient’s head of bed is placed at a 30-degree angle. This position is used for patients who have cardiac or respiratory conditions, and for patients with a nasogastric tube.Semi-Fowler’s positionOrthopneic or tripod positionPatient sits at the side of the bed with head resting on an over-bed table on top of several pillows. This position is used for patients with breathing difficulties.Trendelenburg positionPlace the head of the bed lower than the feet. This position is used in situations such as hypotension and medical emergencies. It helps promote venous return to major organs such as the head and heart.Trendelenburg positionData source: ATI, 2015a; Perry et al., 2014; Potter et al., 2011

Moving a Patient up in Bed

When moving a patient in bed, perform a patient risk assessment prior to the procedure to determine the level of assistance needed for optimal patient care. If a patient is unable to assist with repositioning in bed, follow agency policy regarding “no patient lifts” and the use of mechanical lifts for complex and bariatric patients. See Checklist 25 for the steps to move a patient up in bed.

Checklist 25: Moving a Patient Up in Bed

Disclaimer: Always review and follow your hospital policy regarding this specific skill.

Safety considerations: 

• Perform hand hygiene.
• Check room for contact precautions.
  
• Introduce yourself to patient.
• Confirm patient ID using two patient identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth).
• Listen and attend to patient cues.
• Ensure patient’s privacy and dignity.
• Assess ABCCS/suction/oxygen/safety.
  
• Ensure tubes and attachments are properly placed prior to the procedure to prevent accidental removal.
• Ensure patient has a draw sheet or a friction-reducing sheet on the bed prior to repositioning.

Steps

 Additional Information

1. Make sure an additional health care provider is available to help with the move.

This procedure requires two health care providers.

2. Explain to the patient what will happen and how the patient can help.

Doing this provides the patient with an opportunity to ask questions and help with the positioning.

3. Complete risk assessment (Checklist 24) of patient’s ability to help with the positioning.

This step prevents injury to patient and health care provider.

4. Raise bed to safe working height and ensure that brakes are applied. Health care providers stand on each side of the bed.

Principles of proper body mechanics help prevent MSI.

Safe working height is at waist level for the shortest health care provider.

Bed at waist level

5. Lay patient supine; place pillow at the head of the bed and against the headboard.

This step protects the head from accidentally hitting the headboard during repositioning.

6. Stand between shoulders and hips of patient, feet shoulder width apart. Weight will be shifted from back foot to front foot.

This keeps the heaviest part of the patient closest to the centre of gravity of the health care providers.Feet shoulder width apart

7. Fan-fold the draw sheet toward the patient with palms facing up.

This provides a strong grip to move the patient up using the draw sheet.Fold sheet with fingers facing upward

8. Ask patient to tilt head toward chest, fold arms across chest, and bend knees to assist with the movement. Let the patient know when the move will happen.

This step prevents injury from patient and prepares patient for the move.Chin tucked in and arms across chest

9. Tighten your gluteal and abdominal muscles, bend your knees, and keep back straight and neutral.

The principles of proper body mechanics help prevent injury.

10. On the count of three by the lead person, gently slide (not lift) the patient up the bed, shifting your weight from the back foot to the front, keeping back straight with knees slightly bent.

The principles of proper body mechanics help prevent injury.

Facing direction of movement

11. Replace pillow under head, position patient in bed, and cover with sheets.

This step promotes comfort and prevents harm to patient.

12. Lower bed, raise side rails as required, and ensure call bell is within reach. Perform hand hygiene.

Placing bed and side rails in safe positions reduces the likelihood of injury to patient. Proper placement of call bell facilitates patient’s ability to ask for assistance.Bed in lowest position, side rail up, call bell within reach

Hand hygiene reduces the spread of microorganisms.

Data source: Perry et al., 2014; PHSA, 2010

Watch these three videos for more information about how to move a patient up in bed.

Take this Repositioning a Patient in Bed, Caregivers at Head course to learn how to move a patient up in bed, with caregivers at the head of the bed.

Take this Repositioning a Patient in Bed, Caregivers Facing Each Other course to learn how to move a patient up in bed, with the caregivers facing each other.

Take this Repositioning a Patient in Bed, Diagonal Technique course to learn how to move a patient up in bed, with the caregivers standing positioned diagonally.

Positioning a Patient to the Side of the Bed

Prior to ambulating, repositioning, or transferring a patient from one surface to another (e.g., a stretcher to a bed), it may be necessary to move the patient to the side of the bed to avoid straining or excessive reaching by the health care provider. Positioning the patient to the side of the bed also allows the health care provider to have the patient as close as possible to the health care provider’s centre of gravity for optimal balance during patient handling. Checklist 26 describes how to safely move a patient to the side of the bed.

Checklist 26: Positioning a Patient to the Side of the Bed

Disclaimer: Always review and follow your hospital policy regarding this specific skill.

Safety considerations: 

• Perform hand hygiene.
• Check room for contact precautions.
  
• Introduce yourself to patient.
• Confirm patient ID using two patient identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth).
• Listen and attend to patient cues.
• Ensure patient’s privacy and dignity.
• Assess ABCCS/suction/oxygen/safety.
  
• Ensure tubes and attachments are properly placed prior to the procedure to prevent accidental removal.
• Ensure patient has a draw sheet or a friction-reducing sheet on the bed prior to repositioning.

Steps

 Additional Information

1. Make sure you have as many additional health care providers as needed to help with the move.

The procedure works best with two or more health care providers, depending on the size of the patient and the size of the health care professional.

2. Explain to the patient what will happen and how the patient can help.

This provides the patient with an opportunity to ask questions and help with the positioning.

3. Raise bed to safe working height and ensure that brakes are applied. Lay patient supine.

Principles of proper body mechanics help prevent MSI.

Safe working height is at waist level for the shortest health care provider.

4. Stand on the side of the bed the patient is moving toward.

One person stands at the shoulder area and the other person stands near the hip area, with feet shoulder width apart.

This step keeps the heaviest part of the patient closest to the centre of gravity of the health care providers.Keep heaviest part of the patient closest to your center of gravity

5. Fan-fold the draw sheet toward the patient with palms facing up.

Fold sheet with fingers facing upward

6. Have the health care provider at the head of the bed grasp the pillow with one hand and the draw sheet with the other hand.

This prevents injury to patient.Grasp the pillow with one hand and the draw sheet with the other

7. Have patient place arms across chest.

This step prevents injury to patient.Chin tucked in and arms across chest

8. Tighten your gluteal and abdominal muscles, bend your knees, and keep back straight and neutral. Place one foot in front of the other. The weight will shift from the front foot to the back during the move.

Use of proper body mechanics helps prevent injury when handling patients.

9. On the count of three by the lead person, with arms tight and shoulders down, shift your weight from the front foot to the back foot. Use your large leg muscles to move the patient. Do not lift, but gently slide the patient.

Start move with weight on front footShift weight to back foot

If the patient is bariatric, the move should be repeated to correctly position the patient, or use a mechanical lift.

10. Once patient is positioned toward the side of the bed, ensure pillow is comfortable under the head, and straighten sheets. Complete all other procedures related to safe patient handling.

This step promotes comfort and prevents harm to patient.Raise side rails

11. Lower bed, raise side rails as required, and ensure call bell is within reach. Perform hand hygiene.

When a patient lies flat on her back facing up she is in which position?

What is the medical term for lying flat on your back?

What is the position when the patient lies on his back?

What is the position when a patient lies flat on their back and the head is lower than the feet?