The use of position during critical illness: current practice and review of the literature.

This descriptive study looked at how nurses positioned the critically ill person in the Intensive Care Unit. Its objective was to identify what positions were utilised, and whether severity of illness influenced this choice. The findings show nurses are conservative in their use of position during critical illness. There was only limited use of elevation of the backrest of the bed or rotation to the side during the side lying position. As the severity of illness increased, more horizontal positions were utilised. These findings and review of the literature highlights a need for further research into specific aspects of the use of position during critical illness.