BARIATRIC PATIENTS: REPOSITIONING IN BED

Course overview

In the United States, an estimated 33.8% of adults 20 years of age and older are obese. Repositioning a bariatric patient in bed can involve changing the body position within the same area of the bed (e.g., from side to side) or moving the patient to a different area (e.g., closer to the head of the bed when he or she has slipped down toward the foot of the bed); there is a tendency for patients to slip downward in bed when the head of the bed (HOB) has been elevated. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of repositioning a bariatric patient in bed, including methods for promoting the safety of the patient and healthcare provider(s) during patient repositioning. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.