Body Mechanics

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Body Mechanics

• Definitions
• Body mechanics Use of the body in an efficient
  way to prevent injury.
• Posture the arrangement of the body and its
  limbs
• Base of support the area beneath and between
  both feet

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Body Alignment
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OSHA

• Occupational Safety
• Health Administration
• Mission to assure safe and healthful working
  conditions for working men and women.
• They set and enforce standards for safety.

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Continued

• Muscles
• Shoulders, upper arms, hips and thighs.
• Process for lifting
• Bend your knees and squat
• Hold items close to your body and to your base of
  support.

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Lifting Heavy Objects from the Floor
Back muscles must lift the object and half of the
body
Legs and thighs do the lifting
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Ergonomics

• Definitions
• The science of designing the job to fit the
  worker.
• The goal is to prevent musculoskeletal disorders
  (MSDs)

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Back Injuries

• Occurs from repeated activities over time or from
  one event.
• Signs and symptoms
• OSHA lists factors leading to back disorders

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Fowlers Position

• A semi-sitting position
• HOB is between a 45-90 degree angle
• Support the head and arms with a pillow
• For persons with heart and respiratory disorders.

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Supine Position

• The bed is flat
• Head and shoulders supported on a pillow
• Lying on their back looking upward
• Prone Position
• Lying on the abdomen with head to one side and
  arms are flexed towards the head
• Pillows placed under the head, abdomen, and lower
  legs

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Lateral Position

• Side-lying position
• Pillows are under the head, thigh, upper arm and
  against the back
• The upper leg is in front of lower leg

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Sims Position

• Left side-lying position
• Upper leg sharply flexed
• Lower arm behind the person
• Pillows under the head, shoulder, upper leg, and
  upper arm and hand.

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Lets Review the 5 Main Positions!
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Bed Positions

• Fowlers HOB raised 45-90 degrees
• Semi-Fowlers HOB raised 30 degrees
• Trendelenburgs HOB is lowered and FOB is raised
• Reverse Trendelenburgs HOB is raised and the
  FOB is lowered

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Things to think about

• Protect residents skin
• Friction
• Rubbing of one surface against another.
• Shearing
• When the skin sticks to a surface and muscles
  slide in the direction the body is moving.

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• ALWAYS
• Wash hands
• Explain procedure
• Provide privacy
• Insure residents safety

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Turning the Resident

• Use proper body mechanics
• Position resident to assist
• Gently role resident on to side toward you w/o
  trauma or pain
• Leave resident in comfortable position (good body
  alignment, using support as needed)

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Moving Resident in Bed

• Lower the head of the bed (as low as resident can
  tolerate)
• Place pillow at head of bed
• Use proper body mechanics
• GIVE directions and coordinate moves with your
  assistant
• Use draw sheet or incontinent pad to move
  resident
• Place pillow back under head
• Leave resident in position of comfort

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Sitting on the Side of the Bed

• Raise head of bed to an upright position
• Use proper body mechanics
• Swing the legs off the side of the bed as they
  sit up
• Prevent trauma or pain
• Remain with residents as appropriate
• Leave residents in a comfortable position

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Transferring Resident

• Gather equipment (wheel chair or chair)
• Use proper body mechanics
• Place chair or wheel chair near the bed
• Lock wheels or stabilize chair
• Assist resident into sitting position and allow
  them to rest before standing, if needed
• Safely transfer resident (prevent trauma/pain)
• Leave resident in comfortable position

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• PRACTICE
• PRACTICE
• PRACTICE!!!!