Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. 33 DANGLING LEGS PURPOSE: Clients are assisted to dangle legs, as appropriate, to assist in restoring client’s sense of equilibrium and enhance self-confidence. RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL: All personnel PROCEDURE: 1. Explain the procedure for dangling legs to client. 2. Position the bed horizontally and the patient laterally, facing you. If patient is in hospital bed, raise head of bed and lower bottom of bed. 3. Move patient’s legs over side of bed, and grasp patient’s shoulders while standing with a wide base of support. 4. Ask patient to push from bed on his or her arms. 5. Shift you weight from the foot closest to patient’s head to your other foot as you steadily raise patient to a sitting position using correct body mechanics. 6. Continue to stand facing the patient while he or she adjusts to upright position. 7. Observe closely for symptoms of orthostatic hypotension: a. fainting b. dizziness c. blurred vision 8. Dangle patient’s legs for 10-15 minutes or per physician’s order. 9. Assist patient to a comfortable position following initial dangling of legs using footstool or foot support, lap robe, and robe for shoulders. DOCUMENTATION: Report and document leg dangling, date and time of dangling and pertinent observations made during the activity. Such as tolerance of procedure, patient’s needs, outcome, etc., in the patient’s clinical record. If further action is indicated, document follow-up/notification of Clinical Manager and/or physician.