Proper Patient Positioning Guideline: Lateral Position

The lateral position is a patient positioning technique that provides comfort and support to patients. It has a variety of applications, including during labor and delivery, surgery, and other medical procedures. This post will discuss the lateral position in detail, including its types, benefits, drawbacks, and more.

What is a Patient Position?

A patient position is a specific physical posture in which a patient is placed during medical operations to grant the doctor, surgeon, or nurse access to the operation site while preserving the patient's safety. Positioning the patient correctly allows optimal exposure to the surgical/treatment site and maintains the patient's dignity by limiting needless exposure.

In determining a proper patient position, essential physical and physiological factors, such as the patient's respiratory condition, muscular and circulatory system, and body alignment, are considered when choosing a patient position. This is done to avoid putting too much stress on the patient. The surgeon should also consider the patient's size, age, weight, physical condition, and allergies.

The correct patient position offers airway management and ventilation, preserves body alignment, and ensures physiologic safety.

What is The Lateral Position? 

The lateral position, often known as the side-lying posture, or lateral decubitus, is when a patient lies on their side, typically with bent knees and hips, with their legs supported by pillows in front of each other.

This position can help reduce pain and discomfort for the patient by decreasing pressure on the sacrum in the pelvis and the heels. A pressure-relieving cushion should be placed on the operating table or the hospital mattress when necessary.

During any procedure where the lateral position is used, keeping the patient's physiologic spinal and neck alignment is essential, and a safety harness should be applied across the patient's hips.

When Would You Put the Patient in the Lateral Position?

The lateral position is used when a medical procedure requires access to one side of the patient's body. An example would be when an otolaryngologist, or ENT doctor, needs to operate on one of the patient's ears. In such instances, the doctor should use a head positioner or pillow before examinations on the affected ear.

Also, during procedures that involve the patient's back, thorax, colorectal region, kidneys, and hips, they are typically placed in a lateral position.

Types of Lateral Position

Left Lateral Position

The left lateral position is used in operations where the doctor or surgeon needs access to the right side of the patient's body. Therefore, the patient would be placed on their left side with the right side of the body facing up.

Right Lateral Position

The opposite of the left lateral position, the right lateral is used in operations where the doctor or surgeon needs access to the left side of the patient's body. Therefore, the patient would be placed on their right side with the left side of the body facing up.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Lateral Position

Benefits

Besides the obvious advantage of increasing the doctor's access to the patient's side, the lateral position has other benefits. When a patient is in the lateral position, it increases their comfort, mainly when the body is supported with pillows. Additionally, this pillow support can prevent pressure injuries from forming.

It also reduces the risk of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, and atelectasis.

The lateral position is also beneficial for use in patients with mono-lateral pneumonia and severe respiratory failure. In such an instance, the patient must be positioned with a healthy lung to improve ventilation-perfusion coupling.

Drawbacks

The drawbacks of the lateral position are that it can lead to neurovascular and soft-tissue injury. Patients who are unable to endure regional anesthetic are not the best candidates for this position either.

Also, routine lateral positioning may not be suitable for all patients, particularly those more likely to have problems with their heart or lungs.

The main reason is that lying on the side puts pressure on the patient's chest and lungs, making it somewhat difficult for them to breathe. Also, laying in a lateral position can increase the patient's airway resistance, chest wall elasticity, and lung elasticity. These changes are the same, irrespective of whether the patient is placed in the left or proper lateral positioning.

Lateral Position in Surgery

As explained earlier, the lateral position is used during surgical operations where the doctor requires access to one side of the patient's body.

The lateral position is also sometimes used as a birthing position.

This allows the mother to rest between pushes while affording the birth attendant a clear view of the birthing process and the ability to assist. Regarding the baby's descent process, the lateral position is not as physiologically advantageous as the upright posture since gravity would not act as a natural aid. Nonetheless, the lateral position significantly decreases the danger of perineal tears more than any other position. Not to mention that it also produces the most muscular contractions compared to all other birthing positions.

Surgeons can put the patient in a lateral position safely and comfortably with the help of equipment that is designed to have lateral tilts that can be operated to put the patient in a sideways place.

Examples are the AG-OT009 C-Arm Electric Operation Tables and the AG-OT030 Electric Operating Table For Operating Theatre.

This equipment can provide the patient with the utmost comfort while ensuring that the surgical team has plenty of space to work.

Lateral Position in Hospital Bed

Placing a patient in a lateral position on a hospital bed is a standard nursing procedure sometimes done to aid recovery from surgery.

Some hospital beds, such as the AG-BR002C 7-Function ICU Hospital Bed and the AG-BR006 ICU Electric Hospital Bed, are specifically engineered to support lateral positioning, with features such as headrests and built-in side rails or wedges that can be adjusted to keep the patient in place. In addition, pillows may be used to support the head and neck. Next, cushions or other supports should be placed under the patient's arms and knees.

A nurse may place a patient in a lateral position on a hospital bed by first positioning them on their back. They will then raise the head of the bed and help the patient to roll onto their side.

Lateral Position in X-Ray Examination

The human body comprises numerous organs, each with its function. A patient may be placed in a lateral position to get a clear view of the organs during an x-ray. This allows the radiographer to get a clear image of the organs without moving the patient around too much.

Some radiography systems like the AG-Starry 5000 Double-Column Digital Radiography System are specially designed for lateral positioning, which makes it easier for the radiographer to get a clear image and for the patient to be securely positioned into place.

FAQ

What is Lateral Lying?

Lateral lying is a position in which the individual lies on their side, with their head and shoulders supported and their hips and legs resting on the r surface. The person may be positioned so that their hips and knees are flexed at an angle, or they may have one leg straight and the other bent.

When is Lateral Position Used?

The lateral position, or the side-lying position, is commonly used during medical procedures and examinations. This position allows easy access to the patient's side and often provides a better view for the examiner. In addition, the lateral position relieves pressure on the pelvis.

Why Is Left Lateral Position Used in Pregnancy?

The left lateral position is used in pregnancy because it provides a better view for the doctor, prevents perineal tears, and produces muscular contractions.

Why Is Left Lateral Position Best?

There is no such thing as a general best position. The best position may vary depending on the procedure or examination performed, the patient's anatomy, and other factors.

Nonetheless, the left lateral position is often used because it provides a good view of the organs and structures on the patient's right side, where most procedures are performed.

Is Lateral the Same as Side Lying?

Yes, lateral and side-lying are the same thing. They both refer to a position in which the individual is lying on their side.

Conclusion

Now that you know everything there is to know about the lateral position, you can be sure that you're prepared for your following medical procedure or examination.

There is no general best position, as the best position may vary depending on the procedure or examination performed, the patient's anatomy, and other factors. Understanding when and why to use the lateral position can help you provide better patient care.