Dwellness^™ • Emesis Emergency (vomiting)

Emesis Emergency (vomiting)

Dwellness^™ customization for:

Your Patient

Recovery Position (Harvard University)

General Principles

[NOTE: Before you undertake this routine, please study and practice the principles of Safe Body Dynamics for your patient’s transfers and ambulation.]

→ Breathe! Never hold your breath and bear down when exerting yourself ←
→ Stretching helps prevent injury… stretch before work, and stretch every day ←
→ Keep a low center of gravity during transferring or lifting ←
→ When not transferring or lifting, stand and walk fully erect with abdominals engaged ←
→ Think carefully about each move you make ←
→ Prompt your patient's movements, prepare, and wait for a response before moving yourself ←
→ When in doubt, pause and reconsider your next move ←
→ If your patient decides to go down to the floor, do not resist; gently lower your patient ←

Routines

[NOTE: Become familiar with your patient's precursors to emesis, and how your patient shows the likelihood of gagging and vomiting. Learn the use of Zofran (Ondansetron) to help prevent emesis, and do not hesitate to administer it when appropriate.]
[NOTE: Keep the suction machine always at hand. Use it to clear any accumulated vomit so he is more comfortable and less likely to aspirate.]
[NOTE: If the tray is easily available, use it to catch the vomit.]
[NOTE: Learn the Recovery Position (Dwellness customization) and another view in "Recovery Position" (Harvard University).]

→ CAUTION: A repositioning action is usually involved in this kind of episode. As above, be aware of your body dynamics, but also be aware of the environment in which you are operating. Before you undertake this action, quickly be sure the area is clear of hard surfaces or obstacles that could cause injury, or things that could get in the way of your movements. ←

1. Immediately disconnect the harness latches just behind each shoulder
2. Push your patient's upper body forward about halfway and angle your patient's face downward
3. Allow your patient to finish vomiting

[NOTE: Keep the suction machine always at-hand. Use it to clear any accumulated vomit so your patient is more comfortable and less likely to aspirate.]
[NOTE: If the tray is easily available, use it to catch the vomit.]

4. Transfer your patient out of the Rifton chair (floor or bed)

→ CAUTION: Be very careful of your patient's leg positions as your patient goes onto the floor or into bed. Your patient's hips are vulnerable, and a position that is out of alignment can dislocate your patient's hips. ←

5. Place your patient's body in the Recovery Position

1. On your patient's chest, quickly disconnect the harness latch that joins the shoulder straps
2. Push your patient's upper body forward about halfway and angle your patient's face downward
3. Allow your patient to finish vomiting

[NOTE: Keep the suction machine always at-hand. Use it to clear any accumulated vomit so your patient is more comfortable and less likely to aspirate.]
[NOTE: If the tray is easily available, use it to catch the vomit.]

4. Transfer your patient out of the Rifton chair (bed or floor)

→ CAUTION: Be very careful of your patient's leg positions as your patient goes onto the floor or into bed. Your patient's hips are vulnerable, and a position that is out of alignment can dislocate your patient's hips. ←



5. Place your patient's body in the Recovery Position

1. Quickly and firmly roll your patient on your patient's side
2. Immediately place your patient's body in the Recovery Position

→ CAUTION: Be very careful of your patient's leg positions as you move your patient in bed. Your patient's hips are vulnerable, and a position that is out of alignment can dislocate your patient's hips.