Plan of Care for Repositioning

The individualized plan of care should involve:

• All of the lying and sitting surfaces, including arm and pedal supports that the person uses throughout the day (e.g., beds, wheelchairs, geri-chairs, car seats, stretcher surfaces, operating room tables, foot rests, and shoes).
• Referral to an occupational therapist or a physical therapist in collaboration with other interprofessional team members (e.g., dietitian, front-line nurse).

When transferring or repositioning a person on or between any support surfaces, the following guidelines should be observed:

• Establish and follow a repositioning schedule, regardless of the support surface used.
• Educate the person and primary caregiver(s), as appropriate, about the repositioning plan and monitor regularly.
• Use proper transfer techniques. Do not lift and drag the person across surfaces.