The Effect of Patients Positioning on Oxygen Saturation in the Acute Phase of Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Body position is known to influence respiratory function in normal subjects & those with respiratory pathology. Its effect on respiratory function after stroke has received little attention. It's generally thought that stroke morbidity is increased by inappropriate position during early recovery phase. The present study was designed to identify changes in arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) associated with different four positions of the patient in order to detect proper position which maintain the optimum level of SaO2. Quasiexperiment research design was applied in this study. This study was conducted in stroke intensive care unit of Neurological Department of Assuit University Hospitals. The subjects of this study consist of 60 patients with acute ischemic stroke within 48 hours following mild to moderate and sever stroke. Three tools were included in the study, tool of sociodemographic data, tool of the positions and tool of the Scandinavian stroke scale. The result of the present study revealed that there was statistically significant difference between SaO2 and blood pressure of the patients before and after the positions. It was found also that total mean of SaO2 during right side, supine and semi-setting position was nearly equal and there was statistically significant difference between left position and 3 other positions. So, the study recommended the importance of changing patient's positions which improve ventilation and blood pressure. The importance of the use of positions tested (Rt. side, supine and semi-setting position) in the clinical practice to maintain SaO2 in patients of ischemic stroke.

Keywords

• patients positioning
• oxygen saturation
• acute phase
• ischemic stroke