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Positioning a patient: side‐lying

Evidence‐based approaches

Rationale

Indications

This can be a useful position for patients with:
  • compromised venous return, for example due to pelvic or abdominal mass, or pregnancy
  • global motor weakness
  • risk of developing pressure sores
  • unilateral pelvic or lower limb pain
  • altered tone (see the ‘Moving and positioning a patient with neurological impairment’ section)
  • fatigue
  • chest infection, for gravity‐assisted drainage of secretions
  • lung pathology (see the section ‘Moving and positioning a patient with respiratory compromise’ below)
  • abdominal distension (e.g. ascites) or bulky disease, to optimize lung volume (see the section ‘Moving and positioning a patient with respiratory compromise’ below).

Contraindications

This procedure is contraindicated in patients with suspected or actual spinal fracture or instability. Refer to the section ‘Moving and positioning a patient with actual or suspected spinal cord compression or spinal cord injury’ below.
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