functional quadriplegia
Is anyone trying to capture " functional quadriplegia" for someone who is morbidly obese?
I have a patient with a BMI of 91.0. nursing notes reflect bedbound, cannot do any of her care, 4 person assist bed to bed transfer.....
Just a thought.
Thanks in advance!
Lona McNamara, RN, BSN, CCM
I have a patient with a BMI of 91.0. nursing notes reflect bedbound, cannot do any of her care, 4 person assist bed to bed transfer.....
Just a thought.
Thanks in advance!
Lona McNamara, RN, BSN, CCM
Comments
the Braden Scale, used by nursing to predict a patients risk for developing pressure ulcers could be helpful in supporting the diagnosis of functional quadriplegia, the two measures are mobility- completely immobile or very limited and Activity- bedfast (confined to bed) or chairfast (ability to walk severely limited or nonexistent. cannot bear own weight and/or must be assisted into chair or wheelchair). remember all the documentation in the medical record should support the diagnosis.
I use the criteria that the patient must be fully dependent upon care personnel for feeding, toileting, bathing, grooming, mobility, and any other ADL’s required. Consider the level of care a truly quadriplegic patient requires. The care of a functionally quadriplegic patient must be identical. The risk for infections, pressure ulcers, etc. should be identical for a functionally quadriplegic. If you can prove that standard, go for it.