Dangling patients

[saraaileen76]

The hospital I work at is getting really strict with patient mobilization. We have patient who are quads and bed bound at baseline. Our assistant nurse manager is wanting us to dangle these patients even if it is for 5 minutes. I a trying to locate EBP to support this. I know ambulation is important. Any help would be great.

[BeckyESRN]

"Patient refused" is your friend in this situation. This ranks up there with my nurse manager wanting SCDs on all patients, including my bilateral hip level AKA...

[Daisy4RN]

they want you to dangle a quad? I have never done that. Maybe a bedbound pt depending on circumstances (why, how long etc), but where is Physical therapy?

[anon456, BSN, RN]

In such cases not only is "patient refused" a good friend, but you can also just simply re position the patient *in bed* regularly, which is the whole point.

Here are some examples of documentation to deal with this:

--Patient remains bed bound due to high fall risk. Unsteady, unable to sit upright to dangle feet, unable to support trunk. Requires multiple pillows to remain sitting upright in bed. Re positioned in bed, tolerated well.

--Attempted to assist patient in dangling feet at side of bed. Patient became short of breath including pursed-lipped breathing, asking if oxygen is on, and increased use of accessory muscles with minimal exertion. Returned to bed with HOB elevated, positioned with pillows to maximize chest expansion. SVN breathing treatment administered. MD notified.