How can I accurately measure bedridden patients?
If the patient is unable to stand for their height measurement because they’re bed ridden or have a serious curvature of the spine, then their height is estimated based on their knee height. This estimation is measured while the patient is seated or lying down because the knee and heel joints must be placed at 90 degrees from the thigh. To calculate the patient’s body height, measure the distance from the sole of the foot to the top of the knee and use the following formula:
For men:
Height (cm) = [1.94 × knee height (cm)] – [0.14 × age (years)] + 78.31
For women:
Height (cm) = [1.85 × knee height (cm)] – [0.21 × age (years)] + 82.21
For men:
Height (cm) = [1.94 × knee height (cm)] – [0.14 × age (years)] + 78.31
For women:
Height (cm) = [1.85 × knee height (cm)] – [0.21 × age (years)] + 82.21
