How to Turn a Person in Bed for Pressure Relief

When a person is bedridden, the patient must be re-positioned every two hours to prevent pressure points from becoming bed sores or bed ulcers. The bed sores result from the pressure of the skin against the sheets of the bed. Moving a patient who is gravely ill or elderly may cause him temporary discomfort, but the bed sores and resulting pain is worse. It is best to have someone assist you in turning the person to provide pressure relief.

Things You'll Need

• Extra sheet or absorbent cloth pad
• Extra pillows

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Instructions

• 1

  Make the bed with a turning sheet or an absorbent cloth pad before the individual gets into the bed. Fold a sheet in half, and lay it across the bed, so that it covers the area where the person's head and bottom will be on the sheet. This makes turning the person less difficult.

• 2

  Administer pain medication approximately one-half hour before turning the patient, particularly if the movement is painful for her.

• 3

  Lower the bed, so it is as flat as possible. Do this slowly to avoid discomfort for the individual. Some injuries may make it impossible to flatten the bed without causing unnecessary pain.

• 4

  Ask an assistant to help you turn the patient. One of you needs to stand on each side of the bed.

• 5

  Lift the patient's head gently, and place a pillow underneath it, unless one is already there. Have spare pillows nearby to support the patient when you turn him.

• 6

  Bend the patient's left arm at the elbow, and place it on his stomach, if you are turning him to the right side. Do the same thing with the left leg by bending it at the knee. Place a pillow between his legs.

• 7

  Slide your hands underneath the patient -- one underneath her buttocks and the other underneath her shoulders. Roll her toward the other individual. This leaves the patient in a fetal position, which is more comfortable than lying in a straight position.

• 8

  Ask your assistant to hold the person in position. Slide your hands under his buttocks, and gently pull him back to the middle of the bed a few inches.

• 9

  Adjust the bottom shoulder, if it looks awkward.

• 10

  Tell the assistant to grab the bottom and top corners of the turning sheet, and grab the ones on your side yourself. At the count of three, lift the weight of the patient, and pull the sheet or pad up toward the head of the bed. This keeps patients more comfortable, as they tend to slide down in the bed, particularly while sitting up.

• 11

  Give the top corners a tug at the same time and then the bottom corners. This eliminates any wrinkles in the fabric that may cause friction and pressure spots.

• 12

  Tuck additional pillows behind the person's back and shoulders, if you feel she is too weak to hold herself in the position. Adjust the pillow under her head, as well, if it shifted during the turning. Repeat the method in the opposite manner, if turning the individual to the right side.