Logrolling the Resident

Written by Amanda R. McDaniel, MS, BSN, RN
Amanda is a BSN/RN with a MS in Physiology and a BA in English. She worked as a medical writer in the pharmaceutical industry for 11 years before pursuing a career in nursing. She now works as a nurse on a NeuroTelemetry unit and continues to write and edit on a freelance basis. Amanda’s LinkedIn

Logrolling is a technique used to roll a resident onto their side without the resident helping, and while keeping the resident’s spine in a straight line. This is especially important for residents who have had spinal surgery or injury.

Logrolling Technique

Safe logrolling requires three people. This prevents injury to the resident and to the healthcare workers.
Two workers should stand on the side of the bed the resident is being rolled toward. One should stand on the opposite side.
Raise the bed to a comfortable working height.
Make sure that the draw sheet is under the resident and extends at least from the resident’s shoulders to their knees.
Have the resident cross their arms over their chest and place a small pillow between their knees.
The worker on the side the resident is being turned away from should fanfold the draw sheet until it is close to the resident.
One worker on the side the resident is turning to face should grasp the fan-folded draw sheet at the resident’s lower back and shoulder. The other worker should grasp the draw sheet at the level of the resident’s lower hips and thighs.
On the count of three, the two workers holding the draw sheet should pull toward themselves in a continuous, smooth motion.
The worker now äóìbehindäó the resident should support the resident’s head in line with their body and immediately place a pillow under the resident’s head. If the resident is to stay on their side, this worker should place pillows along the resident’s back to help support them in that position.
The workers holding the draw sheet should gently release the tension so that the resident rolls back onto the pillows.
Ask the resident if they are comfortable. Make adjustments as necessary.
Lower the bed back to the lowest position.
Document the position per institutional or unit policy. Report any difficulty getting the resident into position, or maintaining position to the nurse per policy.

References

Activity and mobility. (2014). In A. G. Perry, P. A. Potter, and W. R. Ostendorf (Eds), Clinical nursing skills & techniques (8th ed., pp. 217). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.

More Resources

Measuring Blood Pressure

Many factors can interfere with obtaining an accurate blood pressure. The most common mistakes that lead to inaccurate blood pressures are a result of improper technique, including: not supporting the patient’s arm, using the wrong sized cuff, positioning the cuff too low on the patient’s arm, improper positioning of the cuff’s artery marker, and attempting to measure blood pressure through clothing.

Nail Care (Fingers and Toes) for CNAs

Nail care of both the feet and the hands should be performed as part of the patient’s daily hygiene routine. The status of the patient’s nails can reflect their overall health. Nail issues can also lead to infection that can spread systemically (ex, ingrown nails or fungus). You should never clip a patient’s nails with nail clippers, and always review your institution’s policy about what nail care is allowed.

Making an Occupied Bed

If a patient is bedridden or on bedrest, the bed linens will need to be changed while the patient is in the bed. For safety reasons, the nurse’s aid should avoid making an occupied bed if the patient is able to get out of bed. Bed linens should be changed according to the facility’s policy or anytime they are wet or soiled.

Transferring the Resident from a Bed with a Mechanical Lift

A mechanical lift is used to transfer residents who cannot support their own weight. When used properly, mechanical lifts prevent injuries for both residents and health care workers. It is important that a nurse’s assistant be trained to use the mechanical lift before attempting to operate it. Most facilities require at least two health care workers to assist when using a mechanical lift.

Assisting the Resident to Transfer from the Bed to a Chair or Wheelchair

It is important to remember on which side to place the chair when assisting a patient in transferring. Putting the chair on the resident’s unaffected side allows the resident to lead with his or her strong extremity. This eases the procedure for the resident and reduces the risk of falling.

Performing the Heimlich Maneuver

The Heimlich Maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, is used to remove an object that is blocking a resident’s airway and preventing air from reaching the lungs. It only takes four to six minutes for brain damage to occur from lack of oxygen, so prompt action is vital.