A. BED POSITIONING BY PATRICIA MOEN

A. Moving and Positioning in Bed
Moving patient in bed/positioning guidelines
1.Positioning in bed: Do not sit or lay for a prolonged period of time. More then 2 hours in one position is too long.
a.Lying on your back:
i.You may want to place a small pillow under your head.
ii.Placing a pillow under your knees may provide additional comfort, and even pillows at your sides for your arms.
b.Lying on your side
i.This requires extra pillows (four total) so be sure to have them readily available before lying down.
ii.Lying on your back with a pillow under your head have three other pillows within reach.
iii.Roll to your side, place a second pillow between your bent legs, so it is between your knees and ankles, place a third pillow under the second pillow but in front of your bottom leg.
iv.Place the fourth pillow in front of you, and rest your top arm on it.
c.Lying on your stomach- this may be an uncomfortable position for your neck, but these steps may help.
i.Before you lay down place a pillow crosswise across where your stomach will be (about midway up the length of the bed).
ii.You may want to also place a pillow at the bottom of the bed before you lay down, this will help support your ankles.
iii.Lie down on the pillows, so the lower edge of the pillow under your body is at your hips

2.Moving in bed
a.Be sure to avoid twisting when moving in bed, trying to keep your back straight.
3.Moving out of bed
a.Before moving out of bed be sure to move any obstacles and pillows that may get in your way.
b.Move to the middle of the bed and roll to the side from which you wish to get out of bed.
c.Bend your knees and hips, one leg on top of the other, and place your hand that is on top on the bed, bend your bottom arm and have your shoulder and elbow lying on the bed, so your forearm is along your waist. Your hand should be on the opposite side of your body.



d.Count to three and push yourself using your hand and elbow to sit up. As you do this move your legs off of the bed so you are sitting upright on the edge of the bed. Use your upper extremities as much as possible. Minimize the use of your abdominal muscles.


e.Rest and gain your balance keeping your arms at your side holding onto the bed. Once you have sat up, feel oriented and not dizzy, just lift your arms off the bed to check your balance. Do this slowly.


f.Once you are able to keep your balance in sitting scoot to the edge of the bed, be sure to stop if you feel dizzy.

g.Be sure both feet are completely on the floor, and place them under your body. Place your walker in front of you so that the opening of the walker is right in front of you and the crossbar is on the opposite side.
h.Lean forward to get your shoulders over your feet
i.Use one of your hands to grab the handgrip that is on the same side (i.e. Right hand placed on right handgrip) while the other hand is placed, palms down, against the surface of the bed.
j.Make sure both feet are placed on the ground. Push up with both hands. Try to put all your strength on your upper body. As you stand up, place your other hand on the other handgrip and make sure you have both hands grasped firmly and comfortably as you stabilize yourself in the standing position. Be sure to come to a fully standing position, standing straight up by tucking your bottom in.
k.Stay close to the bed until you have oriented yourself and are not dizzy.

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