Fowler's Position Guide Online to Hospitals

Fowler's position is a frequently employed positioning, both in-patient and in the emergency department. In addition, neurosurgery and shoulder surgeries often necessitate the patient to be in Fowler's position. It is also known as the sitting position and has different variants. In this brief, we discuss Fowler's position in detail and the medical equipment necessary in this context, either in surgery or in a hospital bed.

Let's begin without any further ado! 

What is Fowler's position?

Patient positioning refers to the maintenance of a patient's neutral body alignment. It is done by preventing hyperextension and extreme lateral rotations. Doing this diminishes the risk of immobility and injury. Patient positioning is an essential element of nursing training. Proper positioning is crucial for airway management, ventilation, body alignment maintenance, and overall psychologic safety. It also preserves patients' dignity by avoiding unnecessary exposure during surgery or non-surgical procedure. Proper execution of recommended positioning adds a sense of smoothness to the overall process. 

Fowler's position is a standard position in which a patient sits in a semi-sitting posture. The inclining angle is between 45-60 degrees. The patient's knees are either bent or straight. The position is named after George Ryerson Fowler; his observations about the position's effect on peritonitis mortality encouraged the use of this position in other procedures. The position has multiple variants, which we will discuss later. Patients suffering from breathing problems find relief when in Fowler's position. The gravitational pull on the diaphragm increases lung and chest expansion. 

Applications

Here are some practical applications of Fowler's position: 

1- Fowler's position is implemented during most events of respiratory distress. 

2- The position is helpful in the provision of alleviation of chest compression because of gravity, particularly in infants and immobile patients. 

3- Fowler's position enhances comfort levels during activities like eating. 

4- The position improves uterine drainage in postpartum women.

5- When oral or nasal gastric feeding tubes are employed, Fowler's position minimizes the risk of aspiration. 

Functions

Scientifically proven to be an extremely effective aid in digestion, particularly for elderly patients, Fowler's position is a posture to remember for many patients. Whether a patient is defecating, eating, swallowing, or struggling with breathing issues, Fowler's position saves the day and provides maximum relief and comfort. Sometimes, it is also employed while taking X-Rays. The objective of making a patient sit in Fowler's posture is to maximize chest expansion and minimize abdominal muscular tension. 

The types of Fowler's position

Now, let us discuss different types of Fowler's positions.

Standard Fowler's Position

Standard Fowler's position is also known as the setting position. The standard position finds uses in neurosurgery and surgeries on shoulders. As expected, the bed angle is between 45- 60 degrees. The patient's legs can be bent slightly or entirely straight. For combating respiratory distress syndrome, the standard position is the preferred option. This positioning permits enhanced chest expansion and an overall increase in the blood flow, and improved hemostasis. Some other advantages of standard Fowler's position are cerebrospinal fluid drainage and overall improvement in breathing by facilitation of oxygenation.

Low Fowler's Position

Low Fowler's position refers to a position in which the patient's head is inclined at a 15–30-degree angle. This position is quite similar to the supine position. Typically, this position is used after a surgical procedure has been performed. The objective of making a patient adapt to this position is to reduce the lower back pain from which the patient might be suffering. Furthermore, the position is quite helpful in administering drugs and preventing aspiration during tube feeding. Finally, for allowing patients to rest for a considerable time, low Fowler's position is considered ideal. 

Semi-Fowler's Position

In this variant of Fowler's position, patients are usually on their back. The patient's legs can be either straight or bent. The semi-Fowler position demands a bed angle between 30-45 degrees. There are multiple applications for this position. It is often used when a patient is facing massive difficulty in breathing, during breathing treatment, and post abdominoplasty. It is also the preferred position during the process of childbirth; it helps in enhancing the comfort levels of the mother. Compared to lying down, the semi-Fowler's position reduces the risk of a patient feeling nauseous. 

High- Fowler's Position

In the high Fowler's position, a patient is usually seated upright. The spine is straight, and the upper body portrays an angle between 60-90 degrees. The patient's legs can be straight or bent. This position is also known as full Fowler's position. Compared to some of the other positions, staying in this position for longer can lead to more discomfort and accelerate the development of pressure ulcers. Nevertheless, the posture helps patients with breathing difficulties anyways. 

Benefits and Drawbacks of Fowler's Position

Benefits

1- Enhanced comfort level for the patient 

2- Increased surgical exposure 

3- Overall improvement in breathing 

4- Improved homeostasis 

5- Improved drainage of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and blood 

Drawbacks

There are certain risks and complications associated with Fowler's position. These include: 

1- A decrease in blood volume returning to the heart 

2- Increase in air/gas trapped inside patient's skull

3- The heightened risk of airway loss and nerve damage

4- Increase in risk of venous embolism 

5- Facial edema risk increases too

Fowler's position in surgery

Fowler's position is the preferred option when choosing a patient position for surgeries focused on the head, chest, and shoulder regions. In addition, Neurosurgeries often require the patient to be in Fowler's position. In the following lines, we highlight the other surgical equipment required in this context.

1- Electro-Hydraulic Operating Table with SUS304 Stainless Steel Accessories AG-OT650

Operating tables, operating room tables, or OT tables, in short, are used in several surgical treatments. They are designed with elements of versatility and adaptation kept in mind. That is exactly why they are useful in a broad range of operations. The electro-hydraulic operating table under discussion is the perfect pick for your operation room since it is easy to clean and disinfect and allows you to perform nearly every kind of surgery.

2- Electric Operating Table for Operating Theatre AG-OT030

This electrical operating table finds use in clinical surgery; mechanical and electrical control systems control it. Its components include tabletop, main part, electric control point, and accessories. Motors drive all the movements. Clinical surgery demands a table that can be moved in all directions, and this is just the right pick in this category. 

Fowler's position in a hospital bed

Postpartum. Delivery. Infancy. Adults. Fowler's position finds use in these and many other medical procedures. For example, it is the go-to option for doctors when the patient is combating respiratory stress syndrome. Besides the patient's position, the bed on which the patient is lying is of extreme importance too. Here are some hospital beds briefly discussed for your consideration. 

Fully Electric Automatic Hospital Beds with Remote Control for 5 Functions AG-BY003C

The five functions mentioned in the product include height adjustment, backrest, footrest, Trendelenburg, and anti-Trendelenburg. The idea is to make the patients extremely comfortable on this bed, and this fully electric bed does a very good job. A durable frame, ABS headboard, and robust electric operation are hallmark features of this bed. 

 5-Function Electric Medical Bed with Weighing Scale System AG-BY009

The adjustable hospital bed under discussion features an excellent design and a Danish motor. All of its functions are controlled by a remote-control system. These functions are foot section, back section, height adjustment, anti-Trendelenburg, and Trendelenburg. The bed frame is made of cold-rolled steel plates, which are both electro-coated and powder-coated. 

ICU Electric Hospital Bed with 10 Functions AG-BR006

As you rightly guessed, this hospital bed's versatility in functions is its hallmark feature. However, the ten functions are not the only illuminating feature of this hospital bed. A Danish Linak motor and four silent wheels with a centrally controlled brake system add more to the value of this ICU bed. 

FAQs

1. When is a patient in Fowler's position?

Fowler's position refers to a standard position in which a patient is in a semi-siting position at an angle of 45-60 degrees. 

2. What is Fowler's position for breathing?

Fowler's position improves breathing since it promotes oxygenation and enhances chest expansion. Furthermore, it minimizes abdominal muscle tension and counters gravity's effects on the chest wall. 

3. What are the types of Fowler's position?

The four types of Fowler's position include low Fowler's position, semi-Fowler's position, standard Fowler's position, and high Fowler's position. 

4. Why would you put a patient in Fowler's position?

Fowler's position is an ideal technique for combating respiratory distress syndrome. A patient is put in this position since it facilitates oxygenation and improves overall breathing.  

Conclusion

Well, that would be all from this brief. We wish we could discuss Fowler's position and a few more Medwish products in detail. Unfortunately, we have only limited time and space on our hands. The importance of Fowler's position will never be less in an operating room as doctors and nurses know how crucial the concept of patient positioning is. Medwish is an ideal option for many healthcare facilities that wish to install the best quality operating room equipment. That's not only because of its numerous options but because of its convenience and quality of service. So, if you're a healthcare facilitator who needs to buy the necessary equipment for your hospital, Medwish is your wish come true!