title: Interface pressure redistribution on skin during continuous lateral rotation therapy: A feasibility study.
abstract: Continuous Lateral Rotation Therapy (CLRT) is a therapy used in ICUs for early mobilization of ventilated patients. CLRT is believed by some in health care to not be sufficient to allow for capillary re-perfusion, and may lead to tissue damage.
  
  
  
  To determine if there are differences in skin interface pressures, skin integrity, or perceived discomfort across three positioning scenarios.
  
  
  
  A Hill-Rom Total Care SpOrt(®) bed was equipped with a pressure mapping device. Ten healthy volunteers were placed in each positioning scenario for 30 minutes; interface pressures were recorded.
  
  
  
  CLRT alone demonstrated statistically lower interface pressures on ischial tuberosities (p < 0.05) as compared to the scenarios with static wedge. Higher pressures were noted on the heels in CLRT alone (p < 0.05). One subject noted pain with CLRT. No erythema or breakdown noted.
  
  
  
  This feasibility study supports the use of CLRT to decrease pressure on capillary beds and decrease patient discomfort.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive RM T100 GH, Iowa City, IA 52242-1009, USA. Electronic address: robert-anderson@uiowa.edu.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Office of Nursing Research, Evidence-Based Practice and Quality, Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive RM T100 GH, Iowa City, IA 52242-1009, USA.
authors.forename: Charmaine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kleiber
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive RM T100 GH, Iowa City, IA 52242-1009, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greiner
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Services and Patient Care, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive RM T100 GH, Iowa City, IA 52242-1009, USA.
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Comried
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001513:Beds / Q000592:standards*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods*; D011312:Pressure; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012399:Rotation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Critical care; Critical care nursing; Deep tissue injury; Intensive care units; Physical mobility; Pressure ulcer; Rotokinetic beds