Getting a patient into a chair as part of a progressive mobility protocol presents a set of risks not only to the patient, but also to healthcare workers. Guidelines recommend repositioning to reduce the amount of time and pressure patients are exposed to in order to minimize pressure injury risk.1 The seated position, while promoting many physiological benefits, is a high pressure activity over a bony prominence, increasing the risk of pressure injury development.1 The use of pressure redistributing devices can help reduce this risk for the seated patient.2
Repositioning also puts healthcare workers at risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as low back pain, sciatica, rotator cuff injuries, epicondylitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.3 Guidelines recommend reducing the physical requirements of high risk tasks through the use of Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Technology (SPHM).4
Repositioning patients in chairs-an improved method
Fragala G
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