Turning over or repositioning and pressure redistribution surfaces have long been considered the mainstay therapy for preventing pressure injuries in critically ill patients. Repositioning procedures frequently change depending on the patient’s level of illness, staff availability, the kind of hospital bed mattresses used, and unit protocols. The incidence and severity of pressure injuries are assumed to be reduced by frequent repositioning, although there isn’t a strong consensus on how frequently this should occur in intensive care unit settings. 

 

The patient’s underlying presentation or sickness, patient comfort, the location of invasive and non-invasive devices, and the stability of the patient’s hemodynamics should all be considered when selecting the patient’s position, which should change every minimum of two hours on an air mattress. It might involve using a prone stance when suitable. Caretakers should always look for heels, bony prominences, and the location of medical equipment when turning over a patient.

 

It has been demonstrated that seated patients are more likely to sustain a pressure injury. For patients seated, it is advised that at least hourly turning over be performed for those patients who cannot adjust themselves at regular intervals. Alternatively, standing or being elevated from a seated posture should be used to remove the interface pressure completely. Caregivers should also utilize a turnover in the wheelchair if the patients are classified as “at risk.”

 

Can a bedridden patient be turned often enough?

 

Every two hours, bedridden patients should have their sides rotated. They will be more relaxed throughout the day and night thanks to the continuous blood flow to their skin, reducing bedsores.

 

The patient is automatically moved from side to side every 10 minutes while the right and left side of air cells alternately inflate and deflate using the lateral rotation mattress. It encourages healthy blood flow and releases steady pressure on some points and surrounding skin.

 

Is it important to know what turning schedules do?

 

In nursing homes, where several patients are at risk for pressure sores, they may utilize turning schedules to organize care. For example, if six patients are at risk, two would be assigned to each of the three schedules. Patients on a team or unit can be balanced and assigned to one of the three schedules.

 

Five dangers of long-term air mattress use

 

An air mattress can be less expensive than a traditional one, but is doing so a wise idea? The advantages and risks of regular use of an air mattress are discussed below.

 

  • Maintenance of the mattress

 

With many mattresses, maintenance is extremely little. For example, to promote more uniform wear and tear, you only need sometimes to rotate the basic coil option. With the air mattress, this is not the case. You must ensure that there is enough air within and that any holes are swiftly filled. Even without holes, they naturally flatten with time and require filling. Due to this, they require more regular maintenance. 

 

Sleep monitoring

 

  • Sharing a mattress with a partner

 

One of the main drawbacks of sharing a bed with someone else is that much motion will be transferred. Every time you or your partner moves, they will be startled, which is inevitable. Being a light sleeper, in particular, may make it challenging to get a good night’s sleep.

 

  • Level of comfort

 

Not all of them are particularly cozy to sleep on. As we already indicated, if support levels are low, it may be difficult for you to fall asleep or to sleep soundly. There is little to no pressure relief and no deep contouring support.

 

  • Temperature control

 

The difficulty of controlling your body temperature when utilizing an air mattress is one of the problems. These mattresses won’t breathe adequately because most of them are composed of synthetic materials. As a result, your body cannot release the heat it produces throughout the night. The temperature outside is transferred to the air that is enclosed. Hotter weather can result in an uncomfortable and sweaty night’s sleep. 

 

You could feel cold during the winter since the air inside has a colder temperature. Maintaining a fine distance between you and the mattress’s surface will help you avoid either of these problems. When it’s cold outside, this can take the form of an air mattress topper, a couple of blankets, or cotton sheets in the summer.

 

  • Physique support

 

A memory foam mattress is not renowned for its ability to support people. Even though it could be fine to sleep on occasionally, repeated use could cause stiffness and back pain. You won’t get a restful night’s sleep because of the insufficient support, which will throw your spine out of alignment.

 

Why turning over your air mattress is advised.

 

You might start seeing dents in your air mattress if you consistently sleep in the same spot for long periods. Continued use of that side can result in uneven mattress wear and a less-than-comfortable night’s rest. However, the new surface that results from flipping is thought to aid in extending the life of the mattress because it is no longer being compressed in the same areas.

 

Air mattress flipping may aid those with back discomfort and enhance sleep quality, improving your savings. However, there hasn’t been much research regarding air mattress flipping, even though the surface you sleep on has been associated with sleep discomfort. A study found that switching to medium-firm air mattresses helped lessen pain and improve sleep quality. So it stands to reason that the newly laid surface would offer comparable advantages, especially if it hasn’t been slept on before.

 

Final Thoughts

So, is the greatest alternative for long-term sleeping arrangements an air mattress? Depending on your selected option and how often you turn over a patient, it will happen. While not important, it can still be a good choice if you want one that provides top-notch assistance. The most necessary aspect to take into action in this situation is assistance. It’s a good idea to have adjustable options because you can then select your level of stiffness and turn over.