RE: Geri chair

[Faye Jones]

Does she have a tray locked in place? If so you also need to assess if the tray is restraining by limiting access to ones body, limiting movement (think readjust clothing, scratch knee type of thing).  IF she normally could perform these functions and the tray is creating a barrier then this is still a restraint. We write our positioning orders “Geri chair with pillow for positioning/comfort, reposition and provide care as needed q__ h and prn.”  IF we think it is a restraint also “Geri chair with pillow for positioning/comfort which inadvertently restrains therefore, check q__ min, release q__ h and prn for repositioning and care and needed”  Of course with the restraint option we put into place all of our supportive documentation tools, consents etc.   -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of HighlandPark414-MDS Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 3:15 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Geri chair   Need a little help here. I have a resident who is not ambulatory and totally reliant on others for positioning. She is not able to transfer self. She spends most of the day in the Geri chair. The order for Geri chair says: “Place pillow in back of resident when up in Geri chair when out of bed for positioning and comfort”. Ok, so my questions are:  Is the Geri chair considered to be restraining patient in this case? She is not able to get up anyhow… Do we have to be more specific on the order with the reason for Geri chair? Thanks a lot Lana Vinnik RN, RAC-C