Clinitron bed amd Q2hr turns.

[regularRN]

This question has probably been asked a thousand times... but when a pt is on a clinitron bed, they don't have to be turned, right? In my dim dark past (mid 1980s!), I remember the pt on the clinitron didn't get turned, but whenever we needed to give a bed bath, examine skin etc., we switched it off and rolled him/her (just for the duration of the procedure). When the bed was switched on, it systematically relieved pressure without having to reposition (in terms of preventing pressure sores or promoting the healing of skin grafts). Am I correct? :)

[lsyorke, RN]

Clinitrons will help prevent pressure areas, but positioning a patient is more than just skin care. Positioning helps keep fluids moving in the lungs(pneumonia prevention), extremity movement(ROM) to prevent blood clots, etc..., so while q2 may not be "necessary to prevent skin breakdown", leaving a patient flat on their back all the time, in a clinitron isn't a good idea.

[regularRN]

I have another question... re. pts on the alternating air beds (zoneaire and accumax). A colleague insists that turning is not necessary, but I turn Q2 to relieve pressure (and for all the reasons you mention above). What do you think?

[lsyorke, RN]

I'm not big on relying on a bed to do all the work..any kind of bed. I've seen MANY pressure ulcers start when patients were left flat on specialty beds. They should be considered an adjunct to good nursing care, not a replacement.

[Liveandlearn]

The issue about reasons to continue repositioning have been answered by others. But I also wanted to comment on what you said about shutting the Clinitron off and then repositioning.

If you need to have the Clinitron off temporarily for a procedure or treatment, you should position the patient first and then shut the Clinitron off. By doing this, the patient's weight will be distributed evenly and pressure in any specific area will be minimized. If you shut the bed off and then repositioon, you will not only subject the skin to shearing but there will be areas of higher skin pressure because the patient won't be lying in his own "print". Hope this is clear.

Diane