proning patients

[tree22_RN]

does anyone prone patients? We very rarely do this and at one point had access to a pronation bed, however the company pulled the bed from our area which is eastern ohio because of low usage. Hillrom company has a device (Volmer)(sp?) was wondering if anyone has used it. We are currently proning a patient using an OR table and all of the positioning devices they use in the OR. Appreciate any comments.

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

We rarely put patients prone, unless they are not responding to all other respiratory therapy and even then it is treated as just another position to help move secretions and assist physio.

We use the standard bed to nurse them prone on, and turn them with the assistance of lots of staff (at least 5 - 6)

[joeyzstj, LPN]

Stryker makes a good bed for this, however studies have shown that you can turn someone at about a 45 degree angle on standard rotation and have the same effects. Your goal is to change up the V/Q mismatch and hit areas of the lung that arent being ventilated and/or perfused properly. We use this mostly as a last ditch effort in ARDS in the presence of a low PO2 when High Fio2 and PEEP are ineffective.

[seanpdent, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN, NP]

We use the Rot-a-Prone bed... quite often as of lately. We have used for pt's with advanced ARDS who do not respond to any other therapy treatments.. including Nitric Oxide therapy.

And we have had amazing results.

[nightmare, RN]

I remember using a Stryker bed years ago in the respiratory unit.Easy to use ,you could turn someone yourself quite easily.

[tree22_RN]

Yes we do use it rarely also, but seems like in the last year we have proned 4 patients, basically have one trauma surgeon who wants it dome more than the others. Three of the patients didn't do well at all, we currently have the 4th one now.

[tree22_RN]

Rot-a-prone is the bed that was taken from our area.

[joeyzstj, LPN]

Yes we do use it rarely also, but seems like in the last year we have proned 4 patients, basically have one trauma surgeon who wants it dome more than the others. Three of the patients didn't do well at all, we currently have the 4th one now.

Do you use APRV ventilation at your facility?

[LokiM]

We prone most of our resp. pts who are on vents. it takes 5 to 6 staff and at least half an hour to position them properly. We leave them proned for a minimuim of 6 hours, perferably 12 hours shifting position as we can. It has been very effective for us but boy is it a pain for staff!

[tree22_RN]

used to have a physician who used that method but he is gone now.