Guideline Implementation: Positioning the Patient

Every surgical procedure requires positioning the patient; however, all surgical positions are associated with the potential for the patient to experience a positioning injury. The locations and types of potential injuries (eg, stretching, compression, pressure injury) depend on the position. Factors that may increase the patient ’s risk for an injury are the length of the procedure and risk factors inherent to the patient (eg, weight, age, frailty). AORN’s updated “Guideline for positioning the patient” provides guidance on injury prevention practices for all surgical positions including supine, Trendelenburg, rever se Trendelenburg, lateral, lithotomy, prone, and sitting positions and modifications of these positions.

Source: AORN Journal - August 31, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: Byron L. Burlingame Tags: Featured article Source Type: research