Case report on prone positioning: A lung recruitment maneuver in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Prone positioning is used as a method of lung recruitment in patients with ARDS and has showed better outcomes. It has been proposed as a potential option for treatment of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Prone positioning for patients with ARDS, seems to improve systemic oxygenation, especially in hypoxemic patients, and in severe ARDS patients, when lung heterogeneity is the greatest. It appears to provide about a 10% survival benefit. Tube dislodgement and development of pressure sores are the major area of concern while patients are in prone position. It involves interdisciplinary team work in positioning patients in prone. Nurses play a vital role in monitoring and preventing complications for patients in prone position.