Prone positioning in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Prone positioning is a technique used to treat patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Nurses are ideally placed to initiate and manage prone positioning. This article examines the aetiology of ARDS and how nurses can identify this condition. Patient groups that benefit most from prone positioning are considered as well as the research evidence on the use of prone positioning in the treatment of ARDS. This article addresses nurse involvement in delivering therapy and suggests that nurses alert members of the multidisciplinary team to the possible use of this therapy.