The effect of post-operative lateral position on patient outcomes in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage

Position and oxygenation are important in preventing complications after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and improving patient outcomes. In this respect, neurosurgery nurses should give patients the appropriate position to increase oxygenation in providing and maintaining airway patency. The study was conducted to determine the effect of lateral position on patient outcomes in patients with SAH. This randomized controlled intervention study was conducted with 42 patients (experimental group: 21, control group: 21) who underwent SAH surgery in the Neurosurgery Intensive Care Units of Health Sciences University Adana City Training and Research Hospital and who met the sampling criteria. For the experimental group patients; For the first 72 hours after the operation, starting from the second hour, every 2-4 hours respectively; 30 degrees right lateral, 30 degrees semifowler and 30 degrees left lateral position were given. As for the control group patients, only the 20-45-degree semifowler position, which is the routine of the clinic, was given for the first 72 hours after the operation. "Patient Identifier Information Form" was administered to both groups in the first 24 hours after the surgery, and the "Patient Results Form" was administered at the 24th, 48th and 72nd hours after the first 2 hours after surgery. The data were evaluated with Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi-Square, Fisher's Exact Chi-Square, student T, Mann-Whitney U, mixed model analysis, mean ± standard deviation, median (minimum, maximum), number and percentage. According to the findings obtained from the study, although the blood gas values of the patients at all hours were generally in favor of the experimental groups, the 48th hour Ph, 72nd hour PaO2 and SaO2 levels were statistically significant (p <0.05). As a result, it was found that postoperative lateral position improved oxygenation in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Keywords: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Oxygenation, Position, Patient Results.