Changing the patient's position in bed is one of the main things to attend to in patient care. For bed ridden individuals, being moved up in bed (long sitting position) is important due to the following reasons: (a) It prevents the development of bed sores, (b) it enhances easy patterns of breathing or increases lung capacity, (c) it promotes good digestion when eating, (d) it relieves pressure from different bony areas of the body, and (e) it is an effective position for hygiene -- making it easy to wash body parts, brush teeth, or change clothes. Assisting a weak patient to move up in bed is a two person job. Individuals who are moving the patient must observe proper body mechanics to ensure an effective, safe, and an injury-free lift.
Instructions
Assist a Weak Patient to Move Up in Bed
1. Inform the patient about the procedure. Explaining the procedure to the patient facilitates cooperation and makes the patient feel that he is being respected instead of being controlled. It also reduces the anxious feeling of the patient from being disturbed.
2. Wash your hands and prepare the draw sheet that you are to use for lifting.
3. Check the stability of the bed before proceeding. If the patient is in a hospital bed, make sure that the bed brake is locked.
4. Adjust the bed to a working height to avoid straining your back when doing the lift.
5. Carefully take the pillow from under the head of the patient and spread the draw sheet at the back of the patient, from the level of the shoulder down to the hips. If patient is too weak to move his head, adjust the level of the draw sheet to head level, so that his head is also lifted when lifting the sheet.
6. Stand on one side of the bed, while your partner stands on the other side, with both of you facing the patient. Facing in the direction of the task (n this case, the patient) will make it easier for you and your partner to maneuver the lift and it will also prevent excessive twisting of the body as you do the lift.
7. Ask the patient to flex his neck by tilting his chin towards the chest. This position will prevent hyper-extension of the patient's neck when he is lifted up in bed.
8. Instruct the patient to hold on to a trapeze bar (if available) or push on the bed surface if he has enough upper extremity strength to do so. Using the patient's upper extremity strength is beneficial to easily elevate the trunk during the lift.
9. Position the arms of the patient across his chest if he has weak upper extremities. This will prevent friction of the arms from dragging on the surface of the bed, thus, protecting the arms from acquiring pressure sores.
10. Ask your patient to flex his knees in order to bring his feet as close to the buttocks as possible. This position will enable the patient to push off to help in elevating his trunk during the lift. But only instruct the patient to do such procedure if he has enough lower extremity strength.
11. Now get you and your partner set for the lift. Widen the distance of your feet, with one foot behind the other, to allow a safe shift of your weight as you lift the patient up in bed.
12. Flex your knees and slightly lean your body, bringing your arms closer to the level of the bed. By bringing your center of gravity closer to the task - which, in this case, is the patient that is to be moved - will increase your balance and strength making it easy for you to execute the lift.
13. Prepare the patient and your lifting partner about the lift. Grasp the draw sheet and carefully lift the patient at the count of three. Giving a clear cue to your patient about the actual move will enable him to be set for it or even provide assistance. And as for your partner, preparing him for the task will enhance good timing of the lift, making it effective and safe.
14. After lifting the patient up from bed, reassess his position, and make sure that his whole body is in proper alignment. Elevate the side rails and place the pillow on the patients back or head to provide cushion and support. Remember to make the safety and comfort of your patient your top priority.
15. Document the patient's new position. It is important to always record procedures that are performed on the patient, especially when this is executed in a hospital setting.
Tags: draw sheet, your partner, extremity strength, , patient from, your patient, arms from