Nursing is a demanding and physically taxing profession. Nurses are on their feet for hours at a time and are required to lift and move patients often. As a result, injuries are not uncommon in the nursing field. However, the good news is that these injuries can be avoided through the use of proper patient lift systems. In recent years, disposable repositioning sheets have emerged as a popular solution due to their ability to improve the efficiency of patient care while also reducing the risk of injury.
Disposable repositioning sheets are specially designed to work in combination with overhead patient lifts or mobile lifts. They are made from breathable materials that are soft to the touch, making them a comfortable option for patients. The sheets are compatible with any hook and loop patient lift, making them an easy addition to any medical facility. By using mechanical assistance to reposition and turn patients, nurses can avoid injuries caused by excessive physical strain.
Choosing the right sheet is critical in ensuring the safety of both the patient and the nurse. Nurses and physical therapists should choose sheets that are made from high-quality materials and are durable enough to withstand regular use. The sheets should also have sufficient weight capacity to accommodate patients of varying weights and sizes. Using appropriate patient lift systems that are compatible with disposable repositioning sheets is also essential.
Disposable repositioning sheets are not only beneficial for preventing nursing injuries but also for improving the efficiency of patient care. The sheets allow for smoother and more efficient patient repositioning, turning, and other common nursing tasks. A few other tasks that nurses perform include changing bed linen in an occupied bed. Changing bed linen is typically a manual process of logrolling the patient back and forth to remove the old sheets while placing the new ones. With a repositioning sheet and a patient lift, the patient can be turned using the lift! This virtually eliminates the risk of injury to the nurse. Turning a patient every two hours is also another common nursing task. Nurses turn patients to offload pressure on bony prominences like the coccyx and the hips and shoulders. With a repositioning sheet one nurse can safely turn a patient, even a morbidly obese patient safely and they don’t have to wait for 3 other nurse to come help them! The repositioning sheet also provide a provides a breathable surface that allows moisture to pass through further reducing the risk of skin damage or bedsores.
Not all repositioning sheets are created the same however. Some sheets include horizontal straps that are sewn onto the sheet from side to side to create the loops that attach to the lift. These straps are typically on the under side of the sheet, but when a patient is lying on the sheet the straps create additional unwanted pressure on the patients’ skin.
SPH Medical has been working to continually improve patient care and improve outcomes while reducing risk of injury to nursing staff and therapists. The breathable repositioning sheet was born out of the desire to address the number one cause of injury which is repositioning in bed. This task is also known as boosting. In the old days nurses would say we had to drag them up in bed as they used the bed sheets or draw sheet to do just that. However the breathable repositioning sheet is now the nurses best tool for efficiency, safety, and improved patient care.
There are a few key features that set this sheet apart from other disposable or single patient use sheets on the market today. The SPH Medical breathable repositioning sheet has been tested to meet the needs of leading ICU’s, Critical Care floors, Med Surgical units and more. A few key features are:
- 1000lb weight capacity – So all patients of any size can be boosted or turned
- 6 straps on either side
- 3 color coded destination loops within each strap
- No straps underneath the patient – so no additional pressure!
- Tested for breathability (MVT) and pressure mapped
- Approved by WOCN wound care nurses across the country!
- Compatible with all hook and loop lift systems
Of course one possible concern about disposable repositioning sheets is their potential environmental impact. However, many companies are working to reduce the impact by creating eco-friendly materials that can be easily disposed of without harm to the environment. Additionally, many hospitals and care facilities have implemented recycling and programs or reprocessing programs to reduce the amount of waste generated.
In conclusion, nursing injuries can be prevented with the proper use of patient lift systems combined with the optimal breathable repositioning sheet. Disposable repositioning sheets have emerged as a popular evidence-based solution that significantly reduces the risk of injury while also improving patient skin integrity and comfort. Nurses and physical therapists should choose sheets that are made from high-quality materials, have sufficient weight capacity, and are compatible with their hook and loop style patient lift systems. Eco-friendly options are available, and recycling programs can be implemented to reduce the environmental impact. By prioritizing patient and caregiver safety, healthcare facilities can create safer and more efficient working environments for all nurses, nurse assistants, therapists, and other technical employees that involved with direct patient care.
