1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Standard cushion PMM 1782
Bariatric cushion PMM 89576