Dwellness^™ • Recovery Position

Recovery Position

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: As soon as you notice that a seizure begins, note the clock time and start timing so you know the duration. See also “Seizure Log”, for tracking crucial details.]
[NOTE: Learn the Recovery Position (Dwellness customization) and another view in "Recovery Position" (Harvard University).]

[NOTE: Please review Seizure Monitoring and Emesis Emergency (vomiting). If any of these things happen, please report them using the Staff Communication Form.]

→ CAUTION: This is a repositioning action. 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. ←

• Seizures while standing or lying down (start timing immediately)
1. Gently lower your patient to the floor if seizure happens while your patient is standing

→ 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. ←



2. Checking to ensure hip alignment, use your Recovery Position training to turn your patient on your patient's side
3. Double-check that your patient's airway is clear and there are not obstacles to your patient's breathing or movement
4. If the seizure is a normal duration and intensity, continue to observe for any post-ictal effects for several minutes after the seizure stops
• Seizures while in the Rifton chair or the wheelchair (start timing immediately)
1. Carefully watch your patient's body and face
2. If the seizure is a normal duration and intensity, continue to observe for any post-ictal effects for several minutes after the seizure stops
3. If you perceive post-ictal effect, transfer your patient from your patient's seated position into bed or onto the 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. ←



4. Place your patient's body in the Recovery Position
• Seizure while in bed (start timing immediately)
1. Carefully check leg position and hip alignment to avoid hip dislocation
2. Place your patient's body in the Recovery Position

[NOTE: It’s possible to avoid any emesis by attending closely to your patient's condition and by using Ondansetron (Zofran). Emesis does not happen often, but when it does it can be unexpected, and it requires immediate, decisive action.]

• Emesis while in Rifton Activity Chair
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 from the Rifton chair into bed or onto the 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
• Emesis while in wheelchair
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

→ CAUTION: When you push your patient's torso forward, your patient's arms will still be in the shoulder straps. Help your patient manage your patient's arm position so your patient's shoulders don’t get stressed as your patient's arms angle backward. ←



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 from the wheelchair into bed or onto the 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. Patiently and firmly keep your patient from rolling onto your patient's back
2. Place your patient's body in the Recovery Position and hold your patient there