Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. 94 POSITIONING PURPOSE: Patients are assisted with correct and comfortable positioning, as indicated, to provide comfort, maintain and assist in restoring body functions, prevent muscle strain and muscle contractures, and prevent irritated skin and decubitus ulcers. RESPONSIBLE PERSONNEL: All personnel PROCEDURE: 1. Explain the order and procedure for positioning to patient. 2. Wash your hands. 3. Provide patient with privacy. 4. Turn patient to the side using proper body mechanics. 5. To position patient in lateral position: a. Place pillow under patient's head. b. Place patient's inside arm, with the elbow flexed, next to patient's head. c. Place pillow to support patient's upper arm, taking care that upper arm does not rest on patient's rib cage. d. Place patient's hand and wrist in functional position using handroll per physician's order. e. Place pillow between patient's legs, supporting and separating knee/ankle and foot from other knee/ankle and foot, taking care that the upper leg does not rest on the lower leg. 6. To position patient in supine position: a. Place patient on hip or back with the face upward. b. Place flat, firm pillow under the head, keeping patient's neck straight. c. Place thin blanket under patient's calves, or extend patient's heels over pillow to prevent pressure on the heels. d. Place trochanter roll firmly against each hip and thigh to prevent external hip rotation as needed. e. Position patient's arms in partial abduction. f. Place small towel under each upper arm above the elbow, and flex each elbow slightly as needed. g. Place patient's wrists in neutral position with the fingers partially flexed. h Place patient's fingers around hand roll or towel with the thumb abducted in opposition per physician's order. 7. To position patient in prone position: a. Place patient on abdomen with face turned to the side. b. Place patient's legs in slight abduction with the knees and hips extended. c. Place thin, rolled blanket under anterior part of patient's ankles. d. Abduct patient's arms slightly and flex the elbows, resting the palms on the bed, with the fingers extended. 8. Check for proper body alignment and position patient's hips and shoulder back as necessary. 9. Position pillow at patient's back for support as necessary. DOCUMENTATION: Document position patient assisted to and tolerance to procedure. Notify supervisor of any reports of pain or skin irritations. ____________________________________________________