By Heather Kooiker MSN, RN, CNL, CNOR, CRNFA
18 AUG 2022
20 Minutes
Senior Clinical Liaison
Perioperative Professor of Nursing, Davenport University
In the operating room, patient safety is a non-negotiable — and safe patient handling and positioning play major roles. Different positions can introduce certain risks for patients, ranging from physiologic changes to soft tissue injury (nerve damage, pressure injuries, etc.).1 That’s why leading organizations like AORN publish research and guidelines to help surgical teams balance surgical access with patient safety.1
As you expand your capabilities and add new specialties, are you equipping your team with the tools they need to ensure safe patient handling in any position? With the right surgical tables and accessories, you can safely use the most effective positions, help prevent injuries and help improve patient outcomes.
Support the positions and procedures you need — safely and efficiently. Here are some key considerations for commonly used positions:
In this position, the patient’s head is positioned below their feet at an angle of 15-30°.2 Commonly used for lower abdominal surgeries, it allows gravity to shift abdominal organs closer to the head, giving the surgeon better access to the pelvic organs.3
Among others, the Trendelenburg position can increase the risk of:1
Given the risks associated with this useful position, there are several practices surgical teams should consider when using the Trendelenburg or Reverse Trendelenburg positions — especially when using the steep Trendelenburg position (30-40°):
In this position (sometimes referred to as the Beach Chair position) the patient is in a semi-seated position at an angle of 45-60° with their legs straight or slightly bent.4 Commonly used for neurology and orthopedic surgeries, Fowler’s position can help prevent respiratory distress by allowing for greater chest and lung expansion.5
Among others, Fowler’s position can increase the risk of:1,6
Proper surgical table positioning equipment can help you protect patient safety and comfort when using Fowler’s position. For example:
In the lithotomy position, the patient’s feet are positioned at or above hip level, with their knees flexed and thighs separated.7 The patient may lie flat or in the Trendelenburg position. The lithotomy position is popular for urology, gynecology and gastrointestinal procedures.
Among others, the lithotomy position can increase the risk of:8
With the right positioning techniques and specialized accessories, you can make the lithotomy position safer and more comfortable for your patients. For example:
In the lateral position — commonly used for chest, lung, kidney and hip surgeries — the patient lies on their left or right side. Patients are typically placed in a supine position first, then rotated into the lateral position.10
Among others, the lateral position can increase the risk of:10
In order to safely rotate the patient into the lateral position and protect them throughout the procedure, surgical teams can:
With proper safe patient handling and positioning, you can gain the surgical site access you need without sacrificing patient safety. Contact us today to find the right surgical tables and precision positioning table accessories for you.
