Authors

  1. Davis, Kermit G. PhD
  2. Kotowski, Susan E. PhD

Abstract

The ramifications of patient migration toward the foot of the bed in intensive care units are not well understood. Migration may cause shear and friction between the patient and the mattress, reduce elevation of the patient's torso, and require frequent repositioning of the patient. This study assesses how bed design impacts both the amount of migration that patients undergo during head section articulation to 30[degrees] and 45[degrees] and the extent of torso compression following the articulation.