Dumb question: How do you move a pt w/ left side hip fracture to the restroom?

[J-Swish]

Usually, we have bed pans and whatnot but this pt is rather very young and would like some privacy. How do I transfer this pt to the restroom if he's wheelchair/chair bound?

It's been years and I forgot. It seems logical on what I what I have to do but I want to be sure with you fine men and women of AN.

BQ: And how do you administer PO meds if they're suppose to be supine position?

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Has the fracture been pinned? How does he get to the wheelchair? It would seem if sitting in a w/c if allowed, then pivoting on the good leg to an elevated bedside commode with a screen or curtain would be best. Do you have the physicians permission to get the patient to the bathroom?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

The transfer method is not primarily dependent on the age of the patient or how strong their desire for privacy ... it depends on what is safe given their injury and what intervention has been performed to repair it.

[J-Swish]

Thanks for such a fast reply. I'm working with this pt tomorrow.

They are arranging for a surgery at the hospital soon. The fracture is not pinned.

That's a good point about the wheelchair. I believe he pivots on the good leg to get to the bedside commode. Nothing listed about BRP, but I'll double-check with the night shift nurse.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I suggest you check whether this patient should be OOB at all ... the "supine position" order makes me think not.

[J-Swish]

Yikes, I'm sorry. It says the pt's gotten a open reduction internal fixation left hip fracture. I said he didn't get surgery yet - that was for another one of my pt's. Everything else is the same, though.

[healthstar, BSN, RN]

I have taken care of so many patients with hip fractures and all of them had Bedrest order, never to leave the bed. I completely understand that everyone likes privacy but in some cases it's not a good idea. Bed pan, urinal, foley catheters are the options available.

[J-Swish]

I went to double-check and they told me the info sheet has the wrong information on it. I did some more searching and it says he has bed rest AND BRP. It's only bed rest. Phew, I'm glad that solves that problem. It was lingering in the back of my mind. Thanks all of you!

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

If you are not sure how to transfer this pt safely, you need to ask either the nurse or the PT for help. There are a lot of factors involved here that cannot be answered on a message board. Most of our post-op hip fracture pts are up by post op day 1 if possible, but there circumstances where this is not possible.

What type of weight bearing is permitted?Full, partial, feather, none?

What restrictions are in place? ortho surgeons can vary in their approach and this will impact what the pt can and cannot do. What works for one surgeon may not work for another.

How many days post op?

How old is the pt?

Are there any other co-morbititys that could impact mobilization?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

If the patient has had surgery and is still ordered bed rest, she/he will likely still have a Foley.

[Vespertinas]

See if there is a physical therapy note. If you work on days and nobody can advise you on technique, I suggest next time the physical therapist is in the room with an ORIF you be present to assist and learn.

[sapphire18]

To answer your question about giving pills in a supine position, usually people just turn their head to the side and/or lift their neck off the bed...it's not easy but it's the only way to do it.