Module 4 - Body Measurements
Risk Assessment and Safety Concerns
The body measurement process may be modified to ensure client and staff safety. Consider the following risk factors:
- Sitting balance
- Muscle spasms
- Large or heavy clients
- Unstable or soft assessment surface
- Pressure areas: a client should not be sitting or lying on the firm assessment surface if it is in direct contact with the existing pressure wound.
Risk Reduction Strategies for Conducting a Body Measurement
1. Consider involving a second assessor or helper if there are any manual handling risk or safety concerns during the body measurement process.
2. Measure in supine or use a firm sitting chair for those who:
- are 'propped sitters'
- are unable to maintain the required sitting posture without assistance from another person
- have safety concerns with sitting due to spasm (eg hips and knees in extension spasm pattern)
3. Measure in supine for clients who have sitting-acquired pressure ulcers
4. In the community setting, where there may be only a soft bed is available, a large transfer board can be utilised under the patient as an assessment surface. Removed the board once the assessment is complete to prevent skin breakdown. Do not use the transfer board as the assessment surface if the client has a pressure area that is in direct contact with it.
5. View a video on "Conducting a body measurement in the supine position"