Patent Grant
11744752
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 or system for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface supported by the frame. The system 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 plurality of tether straps connected to the sheet and extending from the sheet, each tether strap being configured for connection to the bed. 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, and wherein 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 plurality of tether straps include at least first and second pairs of tether straps, the first pair of tether straps connected proximate a top edge of the sheet and the second pair of tether straps connected proximate a bottom edge of the sheet opposite the top edge.
According to one aspect, the system further includes a wedge having a base wall, a ramp surface, and a back wall, with the ramp surface being positioned at an angle to the base wall. 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 wedge may further include a wedge body formed at least partially of a compressible material and defining the base wall, the ramp surface, and the back wall, and the wedge may have a low friction material positioned on the ramp surface and a high friction foam material positioned on the base wall. The high friction foam material is adapted to resist sliding of the base wall with respect to the supporting surface of the bed. The system may further include a second, similarly configured wedge.
According to another aspect, each tether strap comprises an elastic portion forming at least a portion of a length of the tether strap. Each tether strap may also include a non-elastic portion forming a portion of the length of the tether strap. In this configuration, the elastic portion may be connected at one end to the sheet and at the other end to the non-elastic portion, and the non-elastic portion is configured for connection to the bed. The non-elastic portion may have a hook-and-loop connecting structure configured to permit the non-elastic portion to connect to itself in a loop, such that a connecting member on the bed is received in the loop to connect the tether strap to the bed.
According to a further aspect, the system may include a fastener configured for attachment to the bed, where the fastener includes an engagement member configured to be engaged by one of the tether straps to connect the tether strap to the bed.
According to yet another aspect, the system also includes a sliding member formed of a low friction material and connected to the bottom surface of the sheet to assist in lateral sliding of the sheet. The sliding member has a fixed portion that is fixed to the bottom surface of the sheet and a free portion that is moveable over a range of movement with respect to the bottom surface of the sheet along a lateral direction extending between side edges of the sheet. At least a portion of the bottom surface of the sheet is configured to slide against the sliding member within the range of movement of the sliding member when the sheet is moved along the lateral direction. The low friction material of the sliding member may be the same as the first material of the sheet.
According to still further aspects, the first pair of tether straps are connected to opposed side edges of the sheet proximate the top edge, and the second pair of tether straps are connected to the opposed side edges of the sheet proximate the bottom edge.
Additional aspects of the invention relate to a device or system for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface supported by the frame. The system 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 sliding member formed of a low friction material and connected to the bottom surface of 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 sheet further has a top edge configured to be positioned proximate a head of the bed, a bottom edge configured to be positioned proximate a foot of the bed, and opposed side edges located between the top and bottom edges. The sliding member has a fixed portion that is fixed to the bottom surface of the sheet and a free portion that is moveable over a range of movement with respect to the bottom surface of the sheet along a lateral direction extending between the side edges. At least a portion of the bottom surface of the sheet is configured to slide against the sliding member within the range of movement of the sliding member when the sheet is moved along the lateral direction, to facilitate lateral movement of the sheet.
According to one aspect, the sliding member is formed of a sheet of flexible material connected to the bottom surface of the sheet along a longitudinal direction extending between the top and bottom edges. The sheet of flexible sheet material may be formed in a tubular structure, where the tubular structure has a central passage aligned with the longitudinal direction. The sliding member may be connected to the bottom surface of the sheet along at least one connection line extending along the longitudinal direction. For example, the sliding member may be connected to the bottom surface of the sheet along a first connection line and a second connection line spaced from the first connection line, where the first and second connection lines extend along the longitudinal direction.
According to another aspect, the low friction surface on the bottom surface of the sheet is formed of the same low friction material as the sliding member.
According to a further aspect, a plurality of tether straps may be connected to the sheet and extend from the sheet, each tether strap being configured for connection to the bed. The plurality of tether straps include at least first and second pairs of tether straps, the first pair of tether straps connected proximate the top edge and the second pair of tether straps connected proximate the bottom edge.
According to yet another aspect, the system also includes a second sliding member that may have a similar construction to the sliding member described above. The two sliding members may be substantially parallel to each other. The first and second sheets of flexible material may each be formed in a tubular structure having a central passage aligned with the longitudinal direction, such that the central passages of the two sliding members are substantially parallel. Additionally, the sliding member may be connected to the bottom surface of the sheet along at least one first connection line extending along the longitudinal direction, and the second sliding member is connected to the bottom surface of the sheet along at least one second connection line extending along the longitudinal direction, such that the first and second central connection lines are substantially parallel.
Further aspects of the invention relate to a method of using a system as described above, with a sheet including a plurality of tether straps for connection to the bed. The sheet is placed on the bed, and the straps are connected, then an absorbent pad is placed into contact with the top surface of the sheet, where the second material resists sliding of the pad with respect to the top surface, due to the second coefficient of friction being higher. A patient is then positioned above the supporting surface of the mattress, such that the supporting surface supports the patient and at least a portion of the patient rests on the absorbent pad. Both pairs of tether strap are connected to the bed proximate the head of the bed and connecting the second pair of tether straps to the bed proximate the foot of the bed. Additionally, a wedge is placed at least partially underneath the sheet, the 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, 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 mattress and the ramp surface confronts the bottom surface of the sheet. The sheet is then moved toward the back wall of the wedge to slide the patient and at least a portion of the sheet at least partially up the ramp surface of the wedge, such that the ramp surface of the wedge partially supports the patient, to cause the patient to lie in an angled position. A second wedge configured similarly to the original wedge would work as well.
According to one aspect, each of the tether straps includes an elastic portion forming at least a portion of a length of the tether strap. Each of the tether straps may also include a non-elastic portion forming a portion of the length of the tether strap, where the elastic portion is connected at one end to the sheet and the elastic portion is connected at the other end to the non-elastic portion, and the non-elastic portion is connected to the bed. The non-elastic portion may have a hook-and-loop connecting structure that permits the non-elastic portion to connect to itself in a loop, and each of the tether straps is connected to the bed such that a connecting member on the bed is received in the loop.
According to another aspect, the method includes connecting a fastener to the bed, wherein the fastener includes an engagement member, and one of the tether straps is connected to the bed by engaging the one of the tether straps the engagement member of the fastener.
According to a further aspect, the method may utilize a sliding member formed of a low friction material and connected to the bottom surface of the sheet, with the sliding member having a fixed portion that is fixed to the bottom surface of the sheet and a free portion that is moveable over a range of movement with respect to the bottom surface of the sheet along a lateral direction extending between side edges of the sheet. When the sheet is moved toward the back wall of the wedge, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the sheet slides against the sliding member within the range of movement of the sliding member to reduce the friction of the sliding member.
According to yet another aspect, the first pair of tether straps are connected to opposed side edges of the sheet proximate the top edge, and the second pair of tether straps are connected to the opposed side edges of the sheet proximate the bottom edge. The first pair of tether straps may also be connected to the first and second sides of the bed proximate the head, and the second pair of tether straps are connected to the first and second sides the bed proximate the bottom edge.
Still further aspects of the invention relate to a method for use with a bed and a sheet as described above. The sheet is placed on the bed, and the sheet includes a sliding member formed of a low friction material connected to the bottom surface of the sheet. The sliding member has a fixed portion that is fixed to the bottom surface of the sheet and a free portion that is moveable over a range of movement with respect to the bottom surface of the sheet along a lateral direction extending between the side edges. The patient is positioned above the supporting surface of the bed, such that at least a portion of the patient rests above the sheet. The first side edge of the sheet is then moved toward the first side of the bed along the lateral direction, such that at least a portion of the bottom surface of the sheet slides against the sliding member within the range of movement of the sliding member when the sheet is moved toward the first side of the bed along the lateral direction.
According to one aspect, a support device is placed at least partially underneath the sheet, by inserting the support device underneath the first side edge of the sheet from the first side of the bed. Moving the first side edge of the sheet toward the first side of the bed along the lateral direction slides 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 at least partially supports one side of the patient to cause the patient to lie in an angled position. The sliding member includes a sheet of flexible material connected to the bottom surface of the sheet along a longitudinal direction extending between the top and bottom edges. The sheet of flexible sheet material may be formed in a tubular structure, where the tubular structure has a central passage aligned with the longitudinal direction. The sliding member may be connected to the bottom surface of the sheet along at least one connection line extending along the longitudinal direction.
According to another aspect, a plurality of tether straps connected to the sheet and extending from the sheet are also connected to the bed. The tether straps include at least first and second pairs of tether straps, where the first pair of tether straps are connected proximate the top edge and the second pair of tether straps are connected proximate the bottom edge.
According to another aspect, the sheet further includes a second sliding member similar to the first sliding member, which functions in a similar manner when the sheet is moved. Each sliding member may include a sheet of flexible material connected to the bottom surface of the sheet along a longitudinal direction extending between the top and bottom edges, such that the sliding members are substantially parallel to each other. The sliding members may each be formed in a tubular structure with a central passage aligned with the longitudinal direction, such that the central passages of the two sliding members are substantially parallel. Further, each sliding member may be connected to the bottom surface of the sheet along at least one connection line extending along the longitudinal direction, such that the connection lines of the two sliding members are substantially parallel.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
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 sliding member 80 may be at least partially formed of a low-friction material that has a lower coefficient of friction than the high friction material 24, in order to facilitate sliding of the sliding member 80, and in one embodiment, the sliding member 80 may be made of the same low friction material 25 used for the sheet 20. In this configuration, the bottom surface 22 of the sheet 20 slides more easily against the sliding member 80 than against the confronting surface of the bed 12, which reduces the force necessary to slide the sheet 20 in the lateral direction L, at least within the range of movement of the sliding member 80. This reduced coefficient of friction may be particularly useful for assisting in overcoming inertial and/or static friction resistance to initial movement of the sheet 20. The low friction material of the sliding member 80 may also have a lower coefficient of friction than the confronting surface of the bed 12, such as the bed sheet 15, in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the sliding member 80 may have a lower coefficient of friction on at least one surface as compared to at least one other surface thereof. For example, in a tubular sliding member 80 as shown in
In the embodiment of
The sliding member 80 has a range of movement in the lateral direction L with respect to the bottom surface 22 of the sheet 20 that is dependent upon the lateral width of the sliding member 80. The range of movement may alternately be expressed as the maximum distance that a point on the sheet 20 can move without any sliding occurring between the sliding member 80 and the confronting surface of the bed 12, or in other words, the maximum distance that the sheet 20 and the sliding member 80 can slide against each other.
R=W−D
where W represents the total lateral width of material between the two connection points 83 (which is the total width of the material if connected at the ends), and where D represents the distance between the two connection points 83. In the embodiment of
Additionally, each sliding member 80 provides an area of contact between the low friction material 25 of the sheet 20 and the low friction material of the sliding member 80 (and contact of the low friction material of the sliding member 80 upon itself) that has a lateral width A corresponding to the equation A=(W+D)/2. For example, in the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
The sheet 20 in the embodiment of
In the configuration shown in
Each strap 30 may be made from a single piece or multiple pieces. In the embodiment of
The elastic portions 32 of the straps 30 as shown in
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 sheet 20 may further include a positioning marker 84 to assist in properly positioning the sheet 20 beneath the patient. In the embodiment illustrated in
The system 10 can also include a fastener 36 that is connectable to the bed 12, to provide a connection member 31 for connecting one or more tether straps 30 to the bed 12. One embodiment of such a fastener 36 is illustrated in
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, which may be in a pre-packaged arrangement, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/014,497, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0186012, and Ser. No. 13/014,500, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0186587, which are incorporated by reference herein. For example, the sheet 20 and the pad 40 may be provided in a pre-folded arrangement or assembly, with the pad 40 positioned in confronting relation with the top surface 21 of the sheet 20, in approximately the same position that they would be positioned in use, and the sheet 20 and pad 40 can be pre-folded to form a pre-folded assembly 62, as illustrated 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
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 a similar system was used for 1000 patients, no pressure ulcers were reported, whereas typically about 7% to 20% of patients develop pressure ulcers. Subsequent testing has confirmed such benefits in reducing 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. Studies with respect to the system described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/014,497 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/014,500 reported an 85-88% reduction in employee injury claims through use of the system. Similar results are possible with the system as described herein.
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 the sliding members 80 further facilitate lateral movement of the patient 70, such as when moving the patient 70 up on the wedges 50 or other supporting device. Testing indicates that the peak force required for initial movement of the patient is significantly and noticeably reduced through use of the sliding members 80 as shown in
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.
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/221,098, filed Jul. 27, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/838,952, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/014,497, filed Jan. 26, 2011 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/014,500, filed Jan. 26, 2011. All of the foregoing patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1334901 | Higdon | Mar 1920 | A |
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| 20210113397 A1 | Apr 2021 | US |
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| Parent | 15221098 | Jul 2016 | US |
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