Effects of elevating the head of bed on interface pressure in volunteers

Peterson , M . ; Schwab , W . ; McCutcheon , K . ; van Oostrom , J . H . ; Gravenstein , N . ; Caruso , L .
Ovid ( Journals @ Ovid ) via Athens Full Text (01/1995 - /)
Page: 3038-3042 Vol/Issue: 2008 ; VOL 36 ; PART 11
ISSN Print: 0090-3493 E-ISSN: 1530-0293 Print Holdings: Yes
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Objective: Intensive care unit patients are at particular risk for pressure ulcers and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Current guidelines recommend that mechanically ventilated patients be kept in a semirecumbent position with the head of bed elevated 30°–45° to prevent aspiration and ventilator-associated pneumonia. We tested the effects of elevating the head of bed on the interface pressure between the skin of the sacral area and the bed with healthy volunteers.