Goals and Indications for Postural Drainage

Prevent Accumulation of Secretions in Patients at Risk for Pulmonary Complications

• Patients with pulmonary diseases that are associated with increased production or viscosity of mucus, such as chronic bronchitis and cystic fibrosis
• Patients who are on prolonged bed rest
• Patients who have received general anesthesia and who may have painful incisions that restrict deep breathing and coughing postoperatively
• Any patient who is on a ventilator if he or she is stable enough to tolerate the treatment

Remove Accumulated Secretions from the Lungs

• Patients with acute or chronic lung disease, such as pneumonia, atelectasis, acute lung infections, COPD
• Patients who are generally very weak or are elderly
• Patients with artificial airways