Using positioning after a colonoscopy for patient comfort management.

Nurses are taught to place patients on their left-side postcolonoscopy to facilitate passing of flatus and relief of bloating, but there was no research evidence found to substantiate the use of that position. This study's purpose was to determine which position (left lateral, right lateral, or supine) was the most effective to encourage passing the insufflated room air and provide patient comfort after a colonoscopy. Sequential selection was used to assign one of three positions (168-174 patients per position) to 512 postcolonoscopy patients.