Patent Application
20120186012
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, system, and method for turning and positioning a person supine on a bed or the like, and, more particularly, to a sheet having a gripping surface, a slipping surface, an absorbent pad, and/or a wedge for use in turning and positioning a supine person, as well as systems and methods including one or more of such apparatuses.
Nurses and other caregivers at hospitals, assisted living facilities, and other locations often care for bedridden patients that have limited or no mobility, many of whom are critically ill or injured. These immobile patients are at risk for forming pressure ulcers (bed sores). Pressure ulcers are typically formed by one or more of several factors. Pressure on a patient's skin, particularly for extended periods of time and in areas where bone or cartilage protrudes close to the surface of the skin, can cause pressure ulcers. Frictional forces and shearing forces from the patient's skin rubbing or pulling against a resting surface can also cause pressure ulcers. Excessive heat and moisture can cause the skin to be more fragile and increase the risk for pressure ulcers. One area in which pressure ulcers frequently form is on the sacrum, because a patient lying on his/her back puts constant pressure on the sacrum, and sliding of the patient in a bed can also cause friction and shearing at the sacrum. Additionally, some patients need to rest with their heads inclined for pulmonary reasons, which can cause patients to slip downward in the bed and cause further friction or shearing at the sacrum and other areas. Existing devices and methods often do not adequately protect against pressure ulcers in bedridden patients, particularly pressure ulcers in the sacral region.
One effective way to combat sacral pressure ulcers is frequent turning of the patient, so that the patient is resting on one side or the other, and pressure is taken off of the sacrum. Pillows that are stuffed partially under the patient are often use to support the patient's body in resting on their left or right sides. A protocol is often used for scheduled turning of bedridden patients, and dictates that patients should be turned Q2, or every two hours, either from resting at a 30° angle on one side to a 30° angle on the other side, or from 30° on one side to 0°/supine (lying on his/her back) to 30° on the other side. However, turning patients is difficult and time consuming, typically requiring two or more caregivers, and can result in injury to caregivers from pushing and pulling the patient's weight during such turning. As a result, ensuring compliance with turning protocols, Q2 or otherwise, is often difficult. Additionally, the pillows used in turning and supporting the patient are non-uniform and can pose difficulties in achieving consistent turning angles, as well as occasionally slipping out from underneath the patient.
The present invention seeks to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of existing devices, systems, and methods, and to provide new features not heretofore available.
The present invention relates generally to systems for turning and positioning persons in a supine position, such as a patient in a hospital bed. Aspects of the invention relate to a device for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface supported by the frame, the device including a sheet having a bottom surface adapted to be placed above the supporting surface of the bed and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a tether strap connected to the sheet and extending from the sheet. The bottom surface of the sheet has a low friction surface forming at least a portion of the bottom surface, and the top surface has a high friction surface forming at least a portion of the top surface, such that the top surface provides greater slipping resistance than the bottom surface. The tether strap is configured for connection to the bed.
According to one aspect, the system further includes a support device configured to be placed below the bottom surface of the sheet to support the patient in an angled position. The support device may be a wedge having a wedge body formed at least partially of a foam or other compressible material and having a base wall, a ramp surface, and a back wall, the ramp surface joined to the base wall to form an apex and positioned at an angle of approximately 15-35 degrees to the base wall. The ramp surface has a low friction surface forming at least a portion of the ramp surface and the base wall has a high friction surface forming at least a portion of the base wall. The wedge may include a high friction material adhesively connected to the base wall to form the high friction surface and a low friction material adhesively connected to the ramp surface to form the low friction surface. The low friction material may be wrapped at least partially around the apex, such that the low friction material forms a portion of the base wall. The low friction surface of the sheet and the low friction surface of the wedge may formed of a same first material and the high friction surface of the sheet and the high friction surface of the wedge may likewise formed of a same second material. In one example, the system includes two such wedges.
According to another aspect, the tether strap includes an elastic portion, and may also include a non-elastic portion, where the elastic portion and the non-elastic portion each form a portion of a length of the tether strap. The elastic portion is connected at one end to the sheet and at another end to the non-elastic portion, and the non-elastic portion is configured for connection to a fastener on the bed. The non-elastic portion may be made from a material configured to function as a loop material in a hook-and-loop connecting structure. In this configuration, the non-elastic portion can be connected to the elastic portion by a hook-and-loop connection and is configured for connection to the fastener by a hook-and-loop connection. Additionally, the sheet may include a plurality of tether straps connected to the sheet and extending from the sheet, each of the tether straps being configured for connection to the frame of the bed.
According to a further aspect, the sheet has the bottom surface at least partially formed of a first material having a first coefficient of friction and the top surface at least partially formed of a second material having a second coefficient of friction. The second coefficient of friction is higher than the first coefficient of friction such that the top surface provides greater slipping resistance than the bottom surface. The first material may be a first piece of sheet material forming at least a majority portion of the bottom surface and the second material may be a second piece of sheet material connected to the first piece of sheet material and forming at least a majority portion of the top surface. In these embodiments, the first material forms the low friction surface and the second material forms the high friction surface.
According to yet another aspect, the system further includes a fastener strip having an adhesive portion adapted for adhesively connecting to the frame of the bed. The tether strap is releasably connectable to the fastener strip via hook and loop connection.
According to still further aspects, the sheet is breathable to allow passage of heat, air, and moisture vapor through the sheet.
According to additional aspects, the system further includes an absorbent pad configured to be positioned on top of the top surface of the sheet, such that the high friction surface resists sliding of the pad with respect to the top surface of the sheet. The absorbent pad may be made of a material that is different from the materials of the sheet, the wedge(s), and other components of the system.
Additional aspects of the invention relate to a system for use with a bed as described above that includes a sheet having a bottom surface adapted to be placed above the supporting surface of the bed and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a wedge including a wedge body formed at least partially of a compressible material and having a base wall, a ramp surface, and a back wall. The sheet includes a first material having a first coefficient of friction and a second material connected to the first material, the second material having a second coefficient of friction, where the first material forms at least a majority portion of the bottom surface and the second material forms at least a majority portion of the top surface. The second coefficient of friction is higher than the first coefficient of friction such that the top surface provides greater slipping resistance than the bottom surface. The wedge has the ramp surface joined to the base wall to form an apex and positioned at an angle of approximately 15-35 degrees to the base wall. The ramp surface is at least partially formed of a third material having a third coefficient of friction and the base wall is at least partially formed of a fourth material having a fourth coefficient of friction. The fourth coefficient of friction is higher than the third coefficient of friction. As described above, the first and third materials may be the same, and the second and fourth materials may be the same. The wedge is configured to be positioned under the sheet such that the base wall confronts the supporting surface of the bed and the ramp surface confronts the bottom surface of the sheet. The fourth material is adapted to resist sliding of the wedge with respect to the supporting surface of the bed, due to the higher fourth coefficient of friction.
Further aspects of the invention relate to a method for moving, turning, and/or positioning a patient on a bed as described above or other supporting surface. The method includes placing a sheet above the supporting surface of the bed, the sheet having a first edge positioned proximate a first side of the bed and a second edge positioned proximate a second side of the bed opposite the first side, and then positioning the patient above the supporting surface of the bed, such that at least a portion of the patient rests above the sheet. A support device is placed at least partially underneath the sheet, by inserting the support device underneath the first edge of the sheet from the first side of the bed. The first edge of the sheet is then moved toward the first side of the bed to slide the patient and at least a portion of the sheet at least partially up on top of the support device, such that the support device partially supports one side of the patient to cause the patient to lie in an angled position. The method may also include a second such support device, where moving the first edge of the sheet toward the first side of the bed slides the patient and at least a portion of the sheet up at least partially on top of the support device and the second support device, such that the support device partially supports one side of the upper body of the patient and the second support device partially supports one side of the lower body of the patient to cause the patient to lie in an angled position.
According to one aspect, the sheet has a bottom surface that confronts the supporting surface of the bed and a top surface opposite the bottom surface. The bottom surface has a low friction surface forming at least a portion of the bottom surface, and the top surface has a high friction surface forming at least a portion of the top surface, such that the top surface provides greater slipping resistance than the bottom surface.
According to another aspect, the method may further include placing an absorbent body pad over the sheet such that the body pad is positioned between the patient and the sheet, such that the high friction surface resists sliding of the body pad with respect to the top surface. The sheet and the body pad may be provided together in a folded arrangement, and are placed on the bed by simultaneously unfolding the sheet and the body pad. For example, the sheet and the body pad may be folded by first folding width-wise by folding the first and second edges of the sheet toward a center of the sheet along a plurality of length-wise fold lines, and are thereafter folding length-wise along at least one width-wise fold line. The sheet and the body pad can be simultaneously unfolded by first unfolding the sheet and the body pad along the at least one width-wise fold line to create a narrow, width-wise folded arrangement. Second, the patient is rolled toward the second side of the bed, and third, the width-wise folded arrangement is placed proximate the patient. The first edge of the sheet and the pad are then unfolded toward the first side of the bed to create an unfolded portion and a folded portion, and the patient is rolled toward the first side of the bed and onto the unfolded portion. Next, the second edge of the sheet and the pad are unfolded toward the second side of the bed to completely unfold the sheet and the pad, and the patient is rolled to a horizontal position on top of the sheet and the pad.
According to a further aspect, the sheet is connected to the bed by use of a tether strap extending from the sheet that is releasably connected to a frame of the bed.
According to yet another aspect, the shoulders of the patient are rotated less than approximately 45 degrees from a horizontal position during the step of moving the first edge of the sheet toward the first side of the bed.
According to an additional aspect, the support device may be a wedge having a base wall, a ramp surface positioned at an angle to the base wall to form an apex, and a back wall opposite the apex, and the support device can be placed at least partially underneath the sheet by inserting the apex of the wedge underneath an edge of the sheet from the first side of the bed such that the base wall confronts the supporting surface of the bed and the ramp surface confronts the sheet. The ramp surface of the wedge may have a low friction surface forming at least a portion of the ramp surface and the base wall of the wedge may have a high friction surface forming at least a portion of the base wall. In this configuration, the high friction surface has a higher coefficient of friction than the low friction surface, and the high friction surface resists sliding of the base wall against the bed due to the higher coefficient of friction.
Still other aspects of the invention relate to a method for moving, turning, and/or positioning a patient on a bed as described above or other supporting surface. The bed may include a frame and a mattress supported by the frame, and may have a head, a foot, and first and second opposed sides, and may also have a bed sheet covering a supporting surface of the mattress. A sheet is placed over the bed sheet, the sheet having a bottom surface that is placed in contact with the bed sheet (if present), and a top surface opposite the bottom surface. The bottom surface is at least partially formed of a first material having a first coefficient of friction, and the top surface is at least partially formed of a second material having a second coefficient of friction. The second coefficient of friction is higher than the first coefficient of friction such that the top surface provides greater slipping resistance than the bottom surface. The sheet further includes at least one first handle located on a first edge of the sheet and at least one second handle located on a second, opposed edge of the sheet. An absorbent pad is placed into contact with the top surface of the sheet, and the second material resists sliding of the pad with respect to the top surface, due to the higher second coefficient of friction. The patient is positioned above the supporting surface of the bed, such that at least a portion of the patient rests on the absorbent pad. Two wedges are placed at least partially under the bed sheet, one of the wedges being proximate an upper body of the patient and the other wedge being proximate the lower body of the patient. Each wedge includes a base wall, a ramp surface positioned at an angle to the base wall to form an apex, and a back wall opposite the apex, and is positioned by inserting the apex of the wedge under the sheet from the first side of the bed such that the base wall confronts the supporting surface of the mattress and the ramp surface confronts the sheet. The ramp surfaces of the wedges are at least partially formed of a third material having a third coefficient of friction and the base walls are at least partially formed of a fourth material having a fourth coefficient of friction. The base walls of the wedges resist sliding of the wedges due to the higher second coefficient of friction. The first edge of the sheet is then moved toward the back walls of the wedges by pulling on the at least one first handle to slide the patient and at least a portion of the sheet at least partially up the ramp surfaces of the wedges, such that the ramp surface of one wedge partially supports the upper body of the patient and the ramp surface of the other wedge partially supports the lower body of the patient, to cause the patient to lie in an angled position. Further, as described above, the bed may have a bed sheet covering the mattress, and the wedges may be placed underneath the edge of the bed sheet when inserting the wedges under the sheet.
According to one aspect, when the patient is lying in the angled position, the patient has shoulders that are rotated between approximately 20 and 30 degrees from a horizontal position.
According to another aspect, the wedges are spaced about 10 cm apart when placed at least partially underneath the bed sheet.
According to a further aspect, the method further includes removing the wedges from beneath the bed sheet and then placing the wedges at least partially under the other side of the bed sheet to turn the patient on the opposite side. One wedge is placed proximate the upper body of the patient, and the other wedge is placed proximate the lower body of the patient, by inserting the apex of each wedge under the second edge of the bed sheet from the second side of the bed, such that the base wall contacts the supporting surface of the mattress and the ramp surface contacts the bed sheet. The second edge of the sheet is then moved toward the back walls of the wedges by pulling on the at least one second handle to slide the patient and at least a portion of the sheet at least partially up the ramp surfaces of the wedges, such that the ramp surface of the one wedge partially supports the upper body of the patient and the ramp surface of the other wedge partially supports the lower body of the patient, to cause the patient to lie in a second angled position.
According to yet another aspect, the sheet further comprises a tether strap connected to the sheet and extending from the sheet, and the method further includes attaching the tether strap to a fastener on the frame of the bed. The fastener is located at the head of the bed such that the tether strap limits movement of the sheet with the patient thereon when the head of the bed is raised to an angle. The tether strap may include an elastic portion and may further include a non-elastic portion, such that the elastic and non-elastic portions each form at least a portion of the length of the tether strap. The elastic portion is connected at one end to the sheet and at another end to the non-elastic portion, and the non-elastic portion is attached to the fastener. The fastener may be a fastener strip having an adhesive portion and a hook-and-loop connecting structure, and the tether strap further comprises a complementary hook-and-loop connecting structure. In this configuration, the method may further include attaching the fastener strip to the frame at the head of the bed by use of the adhesive portion, and the tether strap is attached to the fastener strip by connecting the hook-and-loop connecting structures of the tether strap and the fastener strip.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
a-f are a sequential series of views illustrating the flexible sheet of
a-d are a sequential series of views illustrating a method of placing the flexible sheet and an absorbent pad of the system of
a-d are a sequential series of views illustrating a method of removing and replacing the absorbent pad of
a-c are a sequential series of views illustrating a method of turning a patient to an angled resting position utilizing the system of
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated and described.
In general, the invention relates to one or more apparatuses or devices, including a sheet having a high friction or gripping surface and a low friction or slipping surface, an absorbent body pad configured to be placed over the sheet, and one or more wedges configured to be placed underneath the sheet to support the patient in an angled position, as well as systems including one or more of such devices and methods utilizing one or more of such systems and/or devices. Various embodiments of the invention are described below.
Referring now to the figures, and initially to
As shown in
An example embodiment of the sheet 20 is shown in greater detail in
As seen in
As shown in the embodiment in
Generally, the high friction material 24 has a coefficient of friction that is higher than the coefficient of friction of the low friction material 25. In one embodiment, the coefficient of friction for the high friction material 24 is about 8-10 times higher than the coefficient of friction of the low friction material 25. In another embodiment, the coefficient of friction for the high friction material 24 is between 5 and 10 times higher, or at least 5 times higher, than the coefficient of friction of the low friction material 25. The coefficient of friction, as defined herein, can be measured as a direct proportion to the pull force necessary to move either of the materials 24, 25 in surface-to-surface contact with the same third material, with the same normal force loading. Thus, in the embodiments above, if the pull force for the high friction material 24 is about 8-10 times greater than the pull force for the low friction material 25, with the same contact material and normal loading, the coefficients of friction will also be 8-10 times different. It is understood that the coefficient of friction may vary by the direction of the pull force, and that the coefficient of friction measured may be measured in a single direction. For example, in one embodiment, the above differentials in the coefficients of friction of the high friction material 24 and the low friction material 25 may be measured as the coefficient of friction of the low friction material 25 based on a pull force normal to the side edges 23 (i.e. proximate the handles 28) and the coefficient of friction of the high friction material 24 based on a pull force normal to the top and bottom edges 23 (i.e. parallel to the side edges 23).
Additionally, the coefficient of friction of the interface between the high-friction material 24 and the pad 40 is greater than the coefficient of friction of the interface between the low friction material 25 and the bed sheet 15 or supporting surface 16. It is understood that the coefficients of friction for the interfaces may also be measured in a directional orientation, as described above. In one embodiment, the coefficient of friction for the interface of the high friction material 24 is about 8-10 times higher than the coefficient of friction of the interface of the low friction material 25. In another embodiment, the coefficient of friction for the interface of the high friction material 24 is between 5 and 10 times higher, or at least 5 times higher, than the coefficient of friction of the interface of the low friction material 25. It is understood that the coefficient of friction for the interface could be modified to at least some degree by modifying factors other than the sheet 20. For example, a high-friction substance or surface treatment may be applied to the bottom surface 44 of the pad 40, to increase the coefficient of friction of the interface. An example of a calculation of the coefficients of friction for these interfaces is described below, including a rip-stop nylon material as the low friction material 25 and a warp knit tricot material that was brushed, napped, and/or sanded and treated with a hot melt adhesive as the high friction material 24.
A 20″×20″ section of bed linen (60% cotton, 40% polyester, 200 threads/inch) was taped without slack to a table top. A 10″×10″ section of blue ripstop nylon was placed on top of the section of bed linen, then a 5 lb., 8″ diameter weight was centered on top of the ripstop nylon. A force gauge (Extech 475044, 44 lb·max, digital) was attached to the ripstop nylon and was used to pull/slide the weighted ripstop nylon across the surface of the bed linen. The peak force to slide was recorded. Similarly, a 20″×20″ section of tricot (warp knit tricot material that was brushed, napped, and/or sanded and treated with a hot melt adhesive) was taped without slack to a table top. A 10″×10″ section of an absorbent body pad was placed on top of the section of the tricot material (patient side facing up), then the 5 lb., 8″ diameter weight was centered on top of the body pad. The force gauge was attached to the body pad and was used to pull/slide the weighted body pad across the surface of the tricot material. The peak force to slide was recorded. The table below illustrates the results.
As illustrated by the above data, the average pulling force required was approximately 8.4 times greater for the underpad-tricot interface than for the ripstop nylon-bed linen interface. Dividing the average required pull force by the 5 lb normal force gives a coefficient of friction for the interface of ripstop nylon-bed linen of 0.314 and a coefficient of friction for the interface of underpad-tricot of 2.638, which is approximately 8.4 times higher than the coefficient of friction for the ripstop nylon-bed linen interface.
In the embodiment of
The strap 30 may be made from a single piece or multiple pieces. In the embodiment of
The sheet 20 may also include one or more handles 28 to facilitate pulling, lifting, and moving the sheet 20. As shown in
In further embodiments, the sheet 20 and the components thereof may have different configurations, such as being made of different materials or having different shapes and relative sizes. For example, in one embodiment, the low-friction material 25 and the high-friction material 24 may be made out of pieces of the same size. In another embodiment, the low-friction material 25 and the high-friction material 24 may be part of a single piece that has a portion that is processed or treated to create a surface with a different coefficient of friction. As an example, a single sheet of material could be treated with a non-stick coating or other low-friction coating or surface treatment on one side, and/or an adhesive or other high-friction coating or surface treatment on the other side. Still other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the invention.
In an alternate embodiment, the sheet 20 may not utilize a high friction surface, and instead may utilize a releasable connection to secure the pad 40 in place with respect to the sheet 20. For example, the sheet 20 and pad 40 may include complementary connections, such as hook-and-loop connectors, buttons, snaps, or other connectors. In another alternate embodiment, the sheet 20 may not utilize a strap 30, and may resist sliding in another way. In a further embodiment, the sheet 20 may be used without a pad 40, with the patient directly in contact with the top surface 21 of the sheet, and the high-friction material 24 can still resist sliding of the patient on the sheet 20.
The body pad 40 is typically made from a different material than the sheet 20 and contains an absorbent material, along with possibly other materials as well. The pad 40 provides a resting surface for the patient, and can absorb fluids that may be generated by the patient. The pad 40 may also be a low-lint pad, for less risk of wound contamination, and is typically disposable and replaceable, such as when soiled. The top and bottom surfaces 42, 44 may have the same or different coefficients of friction. Additionally, the pad 40 illustrated in the embodiments of
In one embodiment, the pad 40 may form an effective barrier to fluid passage on one side, in order to prevent the sheet 20 from being soiled, and may also be breathable, in order to permit flow of air, heat, and moisture vapor away from the patient and lessen the risk of pressure ulcers (bed sores). The sheet 20 may also be breathable to perform the same function, as described above. A breathable sheet 20 used in conjunction with a breathable pad 40 can also benefit from use with a LAL bed 12, to allow air, heat, and moisture vapor to flow away from the patient more effectively, and to enable creation of an optimal microclimate around the patient.
The system 10 may include one or more wedges 50 that can be positioned under the sheet 20 to provide a ramp and support to slide and position the patient slightly on his/her side, as described below.
The wedge body 56 in this embodiment is at least somewhat compressible, in order to provide greater patient comfort and ease of use. Any appropriate compressible material may be used for the wedge body 56, including various polymer foam materials, such as a polyethylene and/or polyether foam. A particular compressible material may be selected for its specific firmness and/or compressibility, and in one embodiment, the wedge body 56 is made of a foam that has relatively uniform compressibility.
The wedge 50 is configured to be positioned under the sheet 20 and the patient, to position the patient at an angle, as described in greater detail below. In this position, the base wall 51 of the wedge 50 faces downward and engages or confronts the supporting surface 16 of the bed 12, and the ramp surface 52 faces toward the sheet 20 and the patient and partially supports at least a portion of the weight of the patient. The angle of the apex 55 between the base wall 51 and the ramp surface 52 influences the angle at which the patient is positioned when the wedge 50 is used. In one embodiment, the angle between the base wall 51 and the ramp surface 52 may be up to 45°, or between 15° and 35° in another embodiment, or about 30° in a further embodiment. Positioning a patient at an angle of approximately 30° is clinically recommended, and thus, a wedge 50 having an angle of approximately 30° may be the most effective for use in positioning most immobile patients. The wedge 50 may be constructed with a different angle as desired in other embodiments. It is understood that the sheet 20 may be usable without the wedges 50, or with another type of wedge, including any commercially available wedges, or with pillows in a traditional manner. For example, the sheet 20 may be usable with a single wedge 50 having a greater length, or a number of smaller wedges 50, rather than two wedges 50, in one embodiment. As another example, two wedges 50 may be connected together by a narrow bridge section or similar structure in another embodiment. It is also understood that the wedge(s) 50 may have utility for positioning a patient independently and apart from the sheet 20 or other components of the system 10, and may be used in different positions and locations than those described and illustrated herein.
In the embodiment illustrated in
All or some of the components of the system 10 can be provided in a kit 60, which may be in a pre-packaged arrangement, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, the sheet 20 and pad 40 are folded together to provide ease in unfolding and placing the sheet 20 and pad 40 under the patient. For example, the sheet 20 and pad 40 can first be folded width-wise along a plurality of length-wise fold lines 65, as shown in
Exemplary embodiments of methods for utilizing the system 10 are illustrated in
After positioning the second side 73 of the sheet 20 and pad 40 under or proximate the patient's back, the first side 71 of the sheet 20 and pad 40 assembly 62 (on the left in
a-d illustrate an example embodiment of a method for removing and replacing the pad 40, while the sheet 20 remains under the patient 70. The method is used with a patient 70 lying on a bed 12 as described above. As shown in
a-c illustrate an example embodiment of a method for placing the patient in an angled resting position by placing two wedges 50 under the patient 70. The method is used with a patient 70 lying on a bed 12 as described above, having a bed sheet 15 on the supporting surface 16, with the sheet 20 and pad 40 of the system 10 lying on top of the bed sheet 15 and the patient 70 lying on the pad 40. In this embodiment, the wedges 50 are positioned under the bed sheet 15 (shown as a fitted sheet), so that the bed sheet 15 is between the ramp surface 52 of the wedge 50 and the sheet 20, and the base wall 51 of the wedge 50 is in contact with the mattress 18. In another embodiment, the wedges 50 may be positioned directly under the sheet 20 and over the bed sheet 15, to be in contact with the bottom surface 22 of the sheet 20. It is understood that no bed sheet 15 or other cover for the mattress 18 may be present in some embodiments, in which case the wedges 50 can be placed directly under the sheet 20. As shown in
Once the wedges 50 have been inserted, the user 74 (such as a caregiver) can pull the patient 70 toward the wedge 70 and toward the user 74, such as by gripping the handles 28 on the sheet 20, as shown in
When the patient 70 is to be returned to lying on his/her back, the wedges 50 can be removed from under the patient 70. The sheet 20 may be pulled in the opposite direction in order to facilitate removal of the wedges 50 and/or position the patient 70 closer to the center of the bed 12. The patient can be turned in the opposite direction by inserting the wedges 50 under the opposite side of the bed sheet 15, from the opposite side of the bed 12, and pulling the sheet 20 in the opposite direction to move the patient 70 up the ramp surfaces 52 of the wedges 50, in the same manner described above.
As described above, in some embodiments, the wedges 50 may have an angle of up to approximately 45°, or from approximately 15-35°, or approximately 30°. Thus, when these embodiments of wedges 50 are used in connection with the method as shown in
Research has shown that the use of the system 10 and methods described above can result in a significantly decreased number of pressure ulcers in patients. The system 10 reduces pressure ulcers in a variety of manners, including reducing pressure on sensitive areas, reducing shearing and friction on the patient's skin, and managing heat and moisture at the patient's skin. The system 10 can reduce pressure on the patient's skin by facilitating frequent turning of the patient and providing consistent support for accurate resting angles for the patient upon turning. The system 10 can reduce friction and shearing on the patient's skin by resisting sliding of the patient along the bed 12, including resisting sliding of the patient downward after the head 13 of the bed 12 is inclined, as well as by permitting the patient to be moved by sliding the sheet 20 against the bed 12 instead of sliding the patient. The system 10 can provide effective heat and moisture management for the patient by the use of the absorbent body pad. The breathable properties of the sheet 20 and pad 40, are particularly beneficial when used in conjunction with an LAL bed system. When used properly, pressure ulcers can be further reduced or eliminated. For example, in trials where the system 10 was used for 1000 patients, no pressure ulcers were reported, whereas typically about 7% to 20% of patients develop pressure ulcers.
The use of the system 10 and methods described above can also have beneficial effects for nurses or other caregivers who turn and position patients. Such caregivers frequently report injuries to the hands, wrists, shoulders, back, and other areas that are incurred due to the weight of patients they are moving. Use of the system 10, including the sheet 20 and the wedges 50, can reduce the strain on caregivers when turning and positioning patients. For example, existing methods for turning and positioning a patient 70, such as methods including the use of a folded-up bed sheet for moving the patient 70, typically utilize lifting and rolling to move the patient 70, rather than sliding. Protocols for these existing techniques encourage lifting to move the patient and actively discourage sliding the patient, as sliding the patient using existing systems and apparatuses can cause friction and shearing on the patient's skin. The ease of motion and reduction in shearing and friction forces on the patient 70 provided by the system 10 allows sliding of the patient 70, which greatly reduces stress and fatigue on caregivers.
As another example, the use of the pre-folded assembly 62 of the sheet 20 and pad 40, as shown in
As another example, the act of pulling and sliding the sheet 20 and patient 70 toward the caregiver 74 to turn the patient 70 to an angled position, as shown in
As further examples, the low friction material 25 on the bottom surface 22 of the sheet 20 facilitates all movement of the patient 70 on the bed 12, and additionally, the high friction material 24 on the sheet 20 reduces movement of the patient 70 and the use of the tether strap 30 reduces or eliminates sliding of the patient 70 when the bed is inclined, thereby reducing the necessity for the caregiver to reposition the patient 70. Still other benefits and advantages over existing technology are provided by the system 10 and methods described herein, and those skilled in the art will recognize such benefits and advantages.
Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. The terms “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., as used herein, are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Further, “providing” an article or apparatus, as used herein, refers broadly to making the article available or accessible for future actions to be performed on the article, and does not connote that the party providing the article has manufactured, produced, or supplied the article or that the party providing the article has ownership or control of the article. Accordingly, while specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.
