Nursing Assistant- Body Mechanics

1. Nursing Assistant- Body Mechanics Module 5

2. Purpose of body mechanics • To use the body in an efficient & safe way • Practice body mechanics at all times • EVERYONE should use – even residents & families • Protects employee & resident

3. Basic rules of body mechanics • Assess the “job” to be done • Use wide base of support – feet 12” apart or at shoulder width • Use strong, large muscle groups, not back & arms • Use correct posture & body alignment – back straight, knees bent • Keep heavy objects close to the body

4. Rules (cont) • Never twist, turn, or pivot feet – face work • Push, slide, or pull heavy objects instead of lifting • Avoid sudden jerky motions • Use both hands when lifting • Team work – one leader who directs the group • Explain procedure to resident

5. Issues of concern • Legal • Must protect/safeguard resident • Skin abrasions mean citation from state • Abrasion is REPORTABLE! • Total quality improvement • Back issues! • Resident safety!

6. Comfort measures for lifting & moving residents • Inform resident of what you are doing & why • Provide privacy • Raise bed to proper position • Position resident in good body alignment • Use pillows/foam pads to support & cushion resident & protect bony prominences • Protect ALL tubing • Do not slide or drag – friction, SKIN SHEARING, abrasions, tears

7. Safety measures for lifting & moving residents • Assess the task • Size up the load • Obtain help if needed • Reposition resident in bed with good body mechanics • Move resident up in bed • Use lift sheet if appropriate • Two people needed to move resident, should stand at HOB • Remove pillow, pad HOB with pillow • Lock bed wheels & w/c wheels before moving • Make sure res has non-skid footwear

8. Safety measures for lifting & moving residents (cont) • Turn resident on side • Demo move toward NA • Demo move away from NA • Log roll – move as one position like a log, uses 2 CNAs • Reasons for repositioning • Comfort • Prevents skin breakdown • Stimulates body systems • Encourages resident to do ADLs

9. Positioning • Technique • Do every 2 hours • Use lift-sheet Y move resident to opposite side of the bed you wish to turn resident to (for side-lying) • Turn & position

10. Basic positions • Supine – back • Prone – abdomen • Lateral – side-lying • Sim’s • Fowler’s – HOB > 45 • Semi-Fowler’s – HOB elevated to 45 • Trendelenberg • Reverse Trendelenberg

11. Supportive Devices • Provide comfort & support limbs • Pillows • Foam wedges • Trochanter rolls

12. Transfers • Bed to chair • Place chair on strong side • Chair to bed • Bed to gurney

13. Assistive Equipment used to transfer • Mechanical (Hoyer) lift • Trapeze – use arms • Slide board – requires 2 workers to turn sheet to slide resident over • Gait belt (transfer belt) • Apply to waist, over clothing • Check for belt tightness (2 fingers) • Watch for proper placement

14. Ambulation Procedure • Dangle before ambulation • Ambulate with assistive devices • Walker – advance walker, move weak leg,then strong leg • Cane – hold on strong side, move cane, then weak leg, then strong leg • Gait belt – stand slightly behind resident on the weaker side, grasping belt in midback

15. Prevention of injury if falls occur • Protection of resident • Guide resident to the floor • Protect resident’s head • Keep firm grip on the gait belt • Protection of self • Keep back straight • Slide resident to floor using upper leg for support