Is turning to supine considered a turn?

[sockov]

Hello

When turning Q2 hours, is turning to supine position considered a turn? Our managment says that turning a pt. supine is not an adequate turn to relieve pressure, etc. Most of the nurses disagree with this. What are your thoughts?

Do you turn from side, to back, to side, every 2 hours? Or does anyone else avoid turning the pt. supine?

(I like laying on my back at times, and I would think the pt. would too).

Thanks.

[MomRN0913]

Yes, supine is a position and is on my facilities documentation form. As for those patients who have to be turned Q15-30 min, that's when you are ordering a specialty bed that does it for you!

[litepath2]

Do you turn on your own? Because even if I'm lucky enough to be 1:1 I couldnt turn most of my patient's alone, and there is very rarely any one to help that often.

That is not surprising considering the avg. patient we seem to get now-a-days! However I have a method down and I use those Big Green lift Sheets whenever I can. The Lift Sheets makes it darned easy to spin-em round which ever way ya need.

[mushrooms4]

Unless your patient cannot tolerate a turn to one side or the other, you need to be turning them side to side. If they are (and I am talking ICU patients) intubated and sedated, and the potential of pooling and pressure is a definite issue, (I am sorry but) it is NOT acceptable to leave them on their back except for the hour before the am CXR. There is a reason that we do this. Just because you do not see the results of your diligence immediately, does not mean they do not occur. And, conversely, just because they do not have breakdown during your shift does not mean that you have not potentiated it.... Remember, the times that it is appropriate to turn them side back side are RARE. The research is there, please perform due diligence and read it if you do not agree.... we do not have these policies in effect for no reason.

[esie]

In our unit we are lucky enough to have 1:1 care (in Australia). There are regular turn rounds with the wardies every 3 hrs, and I turn my patients side-back-side, unless contraindicated. We use slide sheets, so it is easy to get the patient into a very good side position, up the bed, where ever I feel they need to be in the bed for optimum positioning. We have mixed beds, the longer term patients and the really sick patients are on Hill-Rom beds, the shorter term patients are on standard hospital foam, and if required, can be moved onto a Nimbus mattress.