Repositioning/Turning Inservice

[Mary C, MSN, RN, APRN, CNM]

I'm hosting an inservice tomorrow and will be bringing hand outs of pressure points, pictures of proper positioning for patients who have been turned, and handing out turning schedules (as well as pocket manuals with patient care tips). I want to have a wheelchair and cushions to demonstrate how full an air cushion should be and proper positioning in a wheel chair. What else should I do to inform about body mechanics?

If I incorporate transfers (from bed to chair, chair to toilet) what should I include?

I'm new to education, and will be assisted in this with the DON but I wanted to make sure I covered lal my bases.

[SpringerCab]

I went to an inservice years ago where the nurse had us cross our ankles and we were to keep them that way until she said to uncross them. Of course it was to show just by doing that for 5 or 10 min the pressure area that is there.

[casi, ASN, RN]

If I incorporate transfers (from bed to chair, chair to toilet) what should I include?

Review proper use of transfer belts. I've seen so many on too loose where the aide is stuck lifting their arms super high and using cruddy body mechanics because the belt is catching under the patient's arms.

[mamamerlee, LPN]

I like the ankle cross demonstration. When I taught CNAs in the Jurrasic Era, I would tell them to take a washcloth and wad it up into a tight ball, then place it under their hip or side before the went to sleep. No one lasted more tha 4-5 minutes. They really understood why sheets needed to be tight, and why we reposition people.

So if you can find something small and hard, have a few people try to sit on it - even just under the thigh - as long as they can. Even something like a pencil should be very annoying!

[sharpeiluv]

Could you engage a Physical Therapist or a Physical Therapy Assistant to help you demonstrate transfer/turning techniques?