Nursing Management of Prone Positioning in Patients With COVID-19

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

Patients with COVID-19 present with pneumonia, which is a specific disease with distinctive features such as severe hypoxemia and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. In this phase, deep sedation and administration of neuromuscular blocking agents are considered to facilitate mechanical ventilation. Patients with COVID-19 who require endotracheal intubation can be placed in the prone position, which promotes more homogenous aeration of the lungs and improves oxygenation. The aim of this quality improvement report is to describe the extensive use of prone positioning as treatment for patients with ARDS and COVID-19 in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, a specialized center in Milan, Italy, that was designated as the coordinating hub of ICUs throughout Lombardy, leading the region’s response to the outbreak.

Objectives

Identify a critically ill patient with respiratory failure who is eligible for prone positioning.
List all clinical activities necessary to prepare the patient before the pronation maneuver.
Demonstrate the correct head and limb positions to prevent the risk of neural tissue injury.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must attend/view/read the entire activity, read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes, and complete the associated evaluation to be awarded the contact hours or CERP. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for 1.00 contact hours.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity.

Disclosure

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

AACN programming meets the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education contact hours for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting CE to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.