Turning patients over in bed
Changing a patient’s position in bed every 2 hours helps keep blood flowing to their skin. This helps their skin stay healthy and prevents bedsores. When you turn a patient, it is a good time to check their skin for redness and sores.
Getting a Patient Ready
- Explain your plan to the patient so the patient will know what is going to happen. Encourage the patient to help you if possible.
- Stand on the side the patient will be turning towards and lower the bed rail.
- Ask the patient to look towards you -- the way the patient will be turning.
- Move the patient to the center of the bed so that the patient doesn’t roll out of bed. Make sure the rail is up on the side you are turning the patient toward.
- The patient’s bottom arm should be stretched towards you. Place the patient’s top arm across their chest.
- Cross the patient’s upper ankle over the bottom ankle.
If you are turning the patient onto their stomach, make sure their bottom hand is above their head before turning the patient.
Turning a Patient
- If you can, raise the bed to a level that reduces back strain for you. Make the bed flat.
- Get as close to the patient as you can.
- Place one of your hands on the patient’s shoulder and your other hand on their hip.
- Shift your weight to your front foot as you gently pull the patient’s shoulder toward you. Then shift your weight to your back foot as you gently pull their hip toward you.
You may need to repeat steps 3 and 4 until the patient is in the right position.
When the Patient is in the Right Position
- Make sure the patient’s ankles, knees and elbows are not resting on top of each other.
- Also make sure their head and neck are in line with their spine, not stretched forward, back, or to the side.
- Return the bed to a comfortable position with the side rails up. Check with the patient to make sure the patient is comfortable. Use pillows as needed.
Alternate Names
Roll patient in bed
References
Avent Y. Spotlight on prevention: Pressure Ulcers. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy. 2010 Sept:8(5);21-29.
Smith-Temple J, Johnson JY, eds. Nurses’ Guide to Clinical Procedures. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2016:chap 9.
Update Date: 1/31/2012
Updated by: Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children's Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
MedlinePlus Topics
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2012, A.D.A.M., Inc. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized in writing by ADAM Health Solutions.
