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Positioning Questioned
SEPTEMBER 19x7. VOI.. 46. NO 3
AORN J O U R N A L
Letters to the Editor
Nursing Shortage Strategies I am responding to your request in the July “Editorial” for solutions to the nursing shortage and the burnout nurses sometime experience. I am employed in a one-day surgery center as an operating room nurse. We have a preoperative holding room, four ORs, and acute recovery and advanced recovery areas. Because we are in an area (Florida) that encounters “seasonal masses,” we are occasionally shorthanded, and at times this wears on the staffs working relationships. We do employ per diem workers, which helps, but the regular staff still feels the brunt of the busy season. We felt a change was needed. We initiated a system whereby all the regular staff (all RNs) rotate through the four work areas. At first some staff and physicians were apprehensive about the change, but with time it is being accepted. I believe it is important for us as nurses to be reminded that we are professionals, and therefore we should be willing and able to meet new challenges that would make us more versatile and promote our professional appearance. Rotating jobs and becoming aware of others’ routine duties tends to increase appreciation and respect among the staff. It also helps the short staffing situation because we can now pull from other areas for lunch relief, vacation coverage, and sick time replacements. This program takes time, patience, and a professional attitude, but the rewards of adequate staffing and increased morale 402
make the effort worthwhile. MICHELE C. WILLMAN, RN. BSN STAFF NURSE
NAPLES(FL) DAYSURGERY UNIT
Positioning Questioned After reading the article, “Patient positioning: Applying the nursing process” in the May issue of the Journal, I wish to comment on the demonstrated position of the arms of the model in both the supine and lateral chest positions. In each of these positions, the model is shown with palms down. The text offers no comment 011 placement of the arms in these positions. I believe that in both of these positions the arm should be placed palm up to prevent pressure injury to the ulnar nerve. Positioning of the unconscious patient must take into consideration the possibility of discomfort, which the patient cannot make known. I cannot believe the model maintained the lateral chest position for very long with her palm down, for this is a very unnatural position. Because photographs can provide very lasting images, and because positioning is of the utmost concern to perioperative nurses, I hope that you will publish information and pictures showing correct positioning. SANDRA L. MCCALLUM, RN, CNOR OR STAFF NURSE SWEDISH-AMERICAN HOSPITAL ROCKFORD,I L I*
AurhorS response. After checking several
AORN J O U R N A L
Letters to the Editor
Nursing Shortage Strategies I am responding to your request in the July “Editorial” for solutions to the nursing shortage and the burnout nurses sometime experience. I am employed in a one-day surgery center as an operating room nurse. We have a preoperative holding room, four ORs, and acute recovery and advanced recovery areas. Because we are in an area (Florida) that encounters “seasonal masses,” we are occasionally shorthanded, and at times this wears on the staffs working relationships. We do employ per diem workers, which helps, but the regular staff still feels the brunt of the busy season. We felt a change was needed. We initiated a system whereby all the regular staff (all RNs) rotate through the four work areas. At first some staff and physicians were apprehensive about the change, but with time it is being accepted. I believe it is important for us as nurses to be reminded that we are professionals, and therefore we should be willing and able to meet new challenges that would make us more versatile and promote our professional appearance. Rotating jobs and becoming aware of others’ routine duties tends to increase appreciation and respect among the staff. It also helps the short staffing situation because we can now pull from other areas for lunch relief, vacation coverage, and sick time replacements. This program takes time, patience, and a professional attitude, but the rewards of adequate staffing and increased morale 402
make the effort worthwhile. MICHELE C. WILLMAN, RN. BSN STAFF NURSE
NAPLES(FL) DAYSURGERY UNIT
Positioning Questioned After reading the article, “Patient positioning: Applying the nursing process” in the May issue of the Journal, I wish to comment on the demonstrated position of the arms of the model in both the supine and lateral chest positions. In each of these positions, the model is shown with palms down. The text offers no comment 011 placement of the arms in these positions. I believe that in both of these positions the arm should be placed palm up to prevent pressure injury to the ulnar nerve. Positioning of the unconscious patient must take into consideration the possibility of discomfort, which the patient cannot make known. I cannot believe the model maintained the lateral chest position for very long with her palm down, for this is a very unnatural position. Because photographs can provide very lasting images, and because positioning is of the utmost concern to perioperative nurses, I hope that you will publish information and pictures showing correct positioning. SANDRA L. MCCALLUM, RN, CNOR OR STAFF NURSE SWEDISH-AMERICAN HOSPITAL ROCKFORD,I L I*
AurhorS response. After checking several