Optimal Bed Positioning For Pressure Relief

Pressure ulcers, a common yet preventable dilemma in nursing homes, paint a grim picture of discomfort and distress. While Georgia’s healthcare sector strives to offer the best patient care, these skin lesions persist as a prevalent issue, often leading to severe health problems if left unchecked. But, as an Atlanta nursing home neglect attorney can ask, what if there’s a way to turn the tide?

These wounds often afflict individuals with limited mobility, such as bedridden patients or those confined to a wheelchair.

Bed positioning plays a key part in preventing pressure ulcers, as strategic repositioning can help redistribute pressure and minimize the risk of these painful sores.

What Are Pressure Ulcers?

A pressure ulcer isn’t just a small discomfort; it’s a battleground where skin and underlying tissue wage a war against constant pressure. These localized injuries occur when pressure or a combination of pressure and shear force are applied to the skin over a bony prominence, such as the hips or heels. To paint a clearer picture, imagine sitting or lying in one position for an extended period. Over time, the constant pressure on certain areas of your body can lead to damage to the skin and underlying tissues, resulting in a pressure ulcer.

The severity of pressure ulcers is determined by a staging system. These stages range from:

• Stage I: where the skin is not broken but is red and may feel warm or hard
• Stage II: where there is a partial thickness loss of skin, presenting as a shallow open ulcer or a blister
• Stage III: where there is a full thickness loss of skin, exposing adipose (fat) tissue
• Stage IV: where there is extensive destruction of tissue, potentially extending into muscle and bone

The battle against pressure ulcers, therefore, is a fight against time and pressure. The clock starts ticking the moment constant pressure is applied to the skin, and unless actions are taken to relieve this pressure, the risk of developing pressure ulcers increases as our lawyers who have won settlements as large $650,000 in nursing home neglect can attest.

Bed Positioning In Preventing Pressure Ulcers

Now that we know what we’re up against, we can examine our primary defense mechanism: bed positioning. Picture a bed as a stage and the body as an actor. Just as an actor moves around the stage to captivate the audience, the body needs to be repositioned frequently to maintain skin integrity and prevent pressure ulcers. Bed positioning serves as a strategic maneuver, designed to alleviate pressure from the wound and safeguard other vulnerable areas.

The semi (30°) side-lying position, for instance, can alleviate pressure from most bony landmarks and avoid placing pressure directly on the greater trochanter (hip). The prone lying position, on the other hand, can remove pressure completely from the ischial tuberosities (ITs), greater trochanters (GTs), and sacrum. The use of positioning aids like wedges, pillows, and special mattresses can also play a significant role in preventing pressure ulcers by distributing pressure evenly and reducing the risk of tissue damage.

Strategies For Reducing Pressure Through Effective Positioning

The battlefield of pressure ulcers isn’t limited to a solitary front. In Georgia’s nursing homes, fighting these sores requires a varied approach, merging diverse strategies to efficiently lower pressure. This includes determining the optimal frequency of repositioning, employing positioning aids and supports, and implementing positioning techniques for key body areas.

Armed with these tactics, caregivers and healthcare providers can significantly decrease the constant pressure on vulnerable areas, thereby preventing the onset of pressure ulcers.

Frequency Of Repositioning Scientific Consensus

We can start with a basic aspect of pressure ulcer prevention: repositioning. How frequently should a patient be repositioned to prevent pressure ulcers? While there’s no universally agreed-upon answer, the general consensus recommends repositioning every 2-4 hours. It’s like a dance where timing is critical. Too frequent repositioning can cause discomfort and increase pain perception, while infrequent repositioning can lead to sustained pressure on certain areas, increasing the risk of pressure ulcers.

In the end, the frequency of repositioning should be adapted to the individual’s needs, taking into account factors such as their overall health, skin condition, and level of mobility.

Positioning Aids And Supports

In the process of repositioning, positioning aids and supports act as vital allies. These devices, ranging from special mattresses and overlays to slide sheets and electronic aids, help facilitate repositioning and provide support to vulnerable areas, reducing the likelihood of pressure ulcers.

Think of positioning aids and supports as your allies in the battle against pressure ulcers. They help to evenly distribute pressure, acting as a buffer between the patient’s body and the bed. These aids and supports come in various forms, including:

• Foam positioning devices
• Gel positioning aids
• Foam mattresses
• Sheepskins
• Continuous low-pressure supports
• Alternating pressure devices
• Advanced static supports

By relieving pressure and enhancing blood circulation, these aids and supports can help prevent the occurrence of pressure ulcers.

Positioning Techniques For Key Body Areas

Just like a dance requires varied moves for different beats, pressure ulcer prevention needs different positioning techniques for key body areas. These techniques are designed to reduce pressure and prevent ulcers, ensuring that each part of the body receives the care it needs.

For instance, positioning the patient’s body to avoid loading over an existing pressure ulcer can prevent further damage. Utilizing pillows or wedges to support key body areas can help maintain the desired position and provide comfort. Repositioning the patient at least every 2 hours or sooner if at high risk can prevent the onset of pressure ulcers. Implementing a 30-degree turn to either side can avoid positioning directly on the trochanter. And inserting a pillow between the knees and ankles can reduce the risk of pressure injury. These techniques, when implemented properly, can significantly reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers. However, these techniques are not always used appropriately. If your loved one has developed pressure ulcers in a nursing home, contact The Turnbull Firm for help. We have won settlements as large as $2 million in general nursing home neglect cases.