In cases where a person loses mobility as a result of a serious injury or illness, absolutely any details are important for his treatment and rehabilitation: from correctly prescribed medications to a favorable microclimate around. But particular biomechanics of the body are especially important when selecting a position in the patient’s bed. The health of the patient largely depends on the correctly selected passive posture. And the selected posture during the course of the disease can become a certain diagnostic characteristic.
Types of position of the patient in bed
The specific location of the patient’s body largely indicates the severity of his illness. The patient's position in bed is:
Each of these groups has its own gradation in severity and disease profile.
The concept of active position
The active position of the patient in bed is characterized by a set of certain poses that the patient, albeit with difficulty, but is able to change. When moving in space, a person can also experience unpleasant and even painful sensations. This type is characteristic of the mild course of the disease or the recovery period.
Forced
The patient's forced position in bed is observed when the patient, experiencing severe pain, takes a pose that, as it seems to him, at least a little, but alleviates the discomfort. The position of the patient’s body is a very important characteristic, which in certain cases can indicate the localization of pain and the disease itself.
There are many poses that somehow accompany certain diseases. For example, with exacerbated pancreatitis, the patient lies on the bed, legs pressed to his chest, in the so-called "fetal position". With peritonitis, the patient tries to take a position of complete immobility, since any movement causes severe pain.
In a disease such as tetanus, the patient bends in an arch during cramps, resting his head and legs against the edges of the bed.
Passive
In those situations where the patient needs to be in a forced stationary state for a long time, use the position in the patient’s bed, based on the correct biomechanics of the body:
- on the back;
- on the side;
- on the back;
- Fowler position;
- Sims position.
Back position
This posture is carried out if the patient is completely passive. The position in the patient's bed on the back is formed as follows:
- The patient is laid on his back on a horizontal surface.
- Under the lower back they put a roller, under the head and shoulders - pillows, but in such a way that there is no tension of the lumbar.
- They put rollers near the outside of the hips to avoid such a thing as turning outward.
- They put rollers in the lower part of the lower leg, which should ensure the absence of pressure sores.
- A perpendicular stop is implemented to prevent turns and sagging.
- Hands put palms down, putting rollers into the palm, and also securing them to avoid turning.
Fowler position
This is a certain position in the patient’s bed, which is characterized as a half-sitting pose. This posture is formed when the patient is placed on the surface of the bed with a raised top at an angle of 45 to 60 degrees.
The patient's body is also fixed with rollers, according to the correct biomechanics, the feet are given perpendicular emphasis. In this position, it will be convenient for a patient who is in clear consciousness to communicate with people, eat food and perform other procedures.
Belly position
This position is recommended for the patient if he already has a risk of bedsores.
To implement this position, the patient is carefully placed on a horizontal surface without pillows. The head is turned sideways and a narrow small roller is placed under it in order to avoid unnecessary strain on the vertebrae. Below the diaphragm, a pillow is placed under the stomach, which reduces pressure on the spine. Hands should be raised and bent so that the hands are at the level of the head. Feet are also secured with rollers; pads are placed under the lower part.
Side position
This type of patient position in bed is recommended for the prevention of pressure sores.
The pose is realized on a completely horizontal surface. The patient is placed on his side, bending his upper leg and placing the lower one under it. Head and shoulders are laid on a pillow. Also, with special rollers located near the back, they fix the patient in a lateral position. A pillow is placed under the legs, the arms are bent, placing one near the head, the other on the pillow at shoulder level. For the feet, an emphasis is organized, as in all other positions.
Sims position
This is a certain position of the patient in bed when his body is in a position adjacent to “lying on its side” and “lying on its stomach”.
For its implementation, the patient is placed half-sided on a horizontal surface, placing a pillow under his head. One hand is placed on a pillow at head level, the other is led down to maintain proper biomechanics. Under the upper leg, bent so that it is at the level of the lower third of the thigh, lay a pillow. The feet are given proper emphasis.
General rules
The position of the patient in bed is a very important stage, both in treatment and in diagnosis. In many positions, you can even characterize the disease.
With special care, one should treat patients who, due to their illness, cannot independently move in space. In the process of forming the most favorable posture, it is necessary to be guided by the rules of biomechanics, to be careful and careful. Otherwise, posture or movement can cause sprains or more serious injuries.
It is also necessary to report all manipulations and movements to the patient and obtain his approval and consent. It should be borne in mind that a patient with a high risk of developing pressure sores is shown to change different positions every two hours. After each change of position, the medical staff must make sure that the patient is in a convenient and comfortable position.