Pressure Injury Prevention and Sitting In sitting positions, the pressure is higher than in lying postures.  The risk of pressure injury is greatly increased during sitting periods. Pressure map in supine position Pressure map in sitting position

DO: DON’T: All patients who have ‘chair’ orders -and-                                         -and- Have a sacral or ischial pressure injury Cannot lift themselves in chair enough to adequately reposition independently Or can reposition themselves but won’t because of pain, dementia, etc DO: DON’T: Apply Mepilex foam to coccyx Use chair air cushion under patient Maintain proper alignment Shift weight side to side while in chair (q15 min if able) Encourage family participation Stand patient q 1 hour if possible Limit time up to 2 hours per session (or 1 hour if patient has a sacral or buttock pi) NO donuts or pink foam cushions. Do not let patient slide or slouch Leave patient up for more than 2 hours if possible

YES NO If chair does not recline, sit patient upright with feet on the ground.  Maintain proper position and alignment in chair. Slouched or slid-down postures create significant increases in pressure. YES NO If chair reclines, lean patient back and elevate legs on a rest. Preferred chair position if pt has ischial pi. Do not sit patient upright with feet elevated

Standard cushion PMM 1782 Bariatric cushion PMM 89576