US-12622830-B2 - System, device, and method for turning and positioning a patient

US12622830B2US 12622830 B2US12622830 B2US 12622830B2US-12622830-B2

Abstract

A system for positioning a patient on a support structure having a support surface includes a sheet configured to be positioned on the support surface, the sheet comprising a first fastening element, and a roll strap comprising a top edge and a bottom edge. The roll strap further comprising at least one connection end configured to engage with a portion of the support structure to maintain the patient positioned on the sheet and the roll strap in an angled position relative to the support surface, where at least one of the top edge or the bottom edge of the roll strap comprises a second fastening element that is configured to removably couple with the first fastening element.

Inventors

David P. Beck
Kristin Marie SEXTON
Adam Cole
Dan Ulreich

Assignees

SAGE PRODUCTS, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20240220

Claims (18)

1 . A system for positioning a patient on a support structure having a support surface, the system comprising: a sheet configured to be positioned on the support surface, the sheet comprising a receiving connection strip; and a roll strap comprising: a top edge, a bottom edge, a first lateral edge connector, and a first connection end comprising a first lateral edge attachment, the first connection end configured to engage with a portion of the support structure to maintain the patient positioned on the sheet and the roll strap in an angled position relative to the support surface; wherein at least one of the top edge or the bottom edge of the roll strap comprises an attachment connection strip configured to removably couple with the receiving connection strip, and wherein a position of the attachment connection strip and a position of the first lateral edge attachment are selected to enable the first lateral edge connector to engage with the attachment connection strip and the first lateral edge attachment while the attachment connection strip engages with the receiving connection strip.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first lateral edge connector and the first lateral edge attachment are located on a first surface of the roll strap.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein: the first connection end is configured to engage with the portion of the support surface by wrapping the first connection end around the portion of the support surface; and the patient is maintained in the angled position by removably coupling the first lateral edge connector with the first lateral edge attachment.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a second lateral edge connector, and a second connection end comprising a second end attachment, the second connection end positioned opposite of the first connection end.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first lateral edge connector comprises a hook fastening material or a loop fastening material, and the first lateral edge attachment comprises the other of the hook fastening material or the loop fastening material.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the receiving connection strip is formed as a first elongated strip and the attachment connection strip is formed as a second elongated strip.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the receiving connection strip comprises a hook fastening material or a loop fastening material and the attachment connection strip comprises the other of the hook fastening material or the loop fastening material.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the receiving connection strip is positioned at an edge of the sheet.
9 . A roll strap for positioning a patient on a support structure having a support surface, the roll strap comprising: an elongated sheet of material configured to be positioned under a portion of the patient; an attachment connection strip; a first lateral edge connector; and a first connection end comprising a first lateral edge attachment, the first connection end configured to engage with a portion of the support structure to maintain the patient in an angled position relative to the support surface, wherein a position of the attachment connection strip and a position of the first lateral edge attachment are selected to enable the first lateral edge connector to engage with the attachment connection strip and the first lateral edge attachment while the attachment connection strip engages with a complementary connection strip of a sheet configured to be positioned on the support surface.
10 . The roll strap of claim 9 , wherein: the first connection end is configured to engage with the portion of the support surface by wrapping the first connection end around the portion of the support surface; and the patient is maintained in the angled position by removably coupling the first lateral edge connector with the first lateral edge attachment.
11 . The roll strap of claim 9 , further comprising: a second lateral edge connector; and a second connection end comprising a second end attachment.
12 . The roll strap of claim 9 , wherein the first lateral edge connector comprises a hook fastening material or a loop fastening material, and the first lateral edge attachment comprises the other of the hook fastening material or the loop fastening material.
13 . The roll strap of claim 9 , further comprising a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein at least one of the top edge or the bottom edge comprises the attachment connection strip, the attachment connection strip configured to removably couple with the complementary connection strip.
14 . The roll strap of claim 13 , wherein the attachment connection strip is formed as a first elongated strip and the complementary connection strip is formed as a second elongated strip.
15 . The roll strap of claim 13 , wherein the attachment connection strip comprises a hook fastening material or a loop fastening material, and the complementary connection strip comprises the other of the hook fastening material or the loop fastening material.
16 . A method for positioning a patient on a support structure having a support surface, the method comprising: placing a sheet on the support structure under the patient, the sheet comprising a receiving connection strip; fastening a roll strap to the sheet by engaging an attachment connection strip of the roll strap to the receiving connection strip; pulling a first connection end of the roll strap in a direction towards an opposing side of the support structure, moving the patient from a first position to an angled position relative to the support surface, the first connection end comprising a first lateral edge attachment; engaging the first connection end with a portion of the support structure; and engaging a first lateral edge connector of the roll strap with the attachment connection strip and the first lateral edge attachment while the attachment connection strip engages with the receiving connection strip to maintain the patient positioned on the sheet and the roll strap in the angled position.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein: engaging the first connection end with the portion of the support structure comprises wrapping the first connection end around the portion of the support surface, and engaging the first lateral edge connector with the attachment connection strip and the first lateral edge attachment comprises removably coupling the first lateral edge connector with the attachment connection strip and the first lateral edge attachment.
18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising removing the sheet from the roll strap to access a portion of a back of the patient.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/447,185, filed on Feb. 21, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus, system, and method for turning and positioning a patient. More specifically, for turning and positioning a person supine on a bed using a sheet having a gripping surface, a slipping surface, an absorbent pad, and/or a roll strap for use in turning and positioning a supine person, as well as systems and methods including one or more of such apparatuses. BACKGROUND Nurses and other caregivers at hospitals, assisted living facilities, and other locations often care for bedridden patients that have limited or no mobility, many of whom are critically ill or injured. These immobile patients are at risk for forming pressure ulcers (e.g., bedsores). Pressure ulcers are typically formed due to one or more of several factors. For example, pressure on a patient's skin, particularly for extended periods of time and in areas where bone or cartilage protrudes close to the surface of the skin, can cause pressure ulcers. Additionally, frictional forces and shearing forces from the patient's skin rubbing or pulling against a resting surface can also cause pressure ulcers. Yet further, excessive heat and moisture can cause the skin to be more fragile and increase the risk for pressure ulcers. One area in which pressure ulcers can form is on the sacrum, because a patient lying on their back puts constant pressure on the sacrum, and sliding of the patient in a bed can also cause friction and shearing at the sacrum. Additionally, some patients need to rest with their heads inclined for pulmonary reasons, which can cause patients to slip downward in the bed and cause further friction or shearing at the sacrum and other areas. Existing devices and methods may not adequately protect against pressure ulcers in bedridden patients, particularly pressure ulcers in the sacral region. One effective way to combat sacral pressure ulcers is frequently turning a patient, so that the patient is resting on one side or the other, and pressure is taken off of the sacrum. Pillows that are stuffed partially under the patient may be used to support the patient's body in resting on their sides. A protocol is often used for scheduled turning of bedridden patients, and dictates that patients should be turned “Q2,” or every two hours, either from resting at a 30° angle on one side to a 30° angle on the other side, or from 30° on one side to 0° (e.g., supine or lying on their back) to 30° on the other side. However, turning a patient may be difficult and time consuming, typically requiring two or more caregivers, and can result in injury to caregivers from pushing and pulling the patient's weight during such turning. As a result, ensuring compliance with turning protocols, Q2 or otherwise, is often difficult. Additionally, the pillows used in turning and supporting the patient are non-uniform and can pose difficulties in achieving consistent turning angles, as well as occasionally slipping out from underneath the patient. Based on the foregoing, the example features described herein seek to overcome these limitations and other drawbacks of existing devices, systems, and methods, and to provide new features not heretofore available. SUMMARY At least one embodiment relates to a system for positioning a patient on a support structure having a support surface. The system comprising a sheet configured to be positioned on the support surface, the sheet comprising a first fastening element and a roll strap. The roll strap comprising a top edge, a bottom edge, and at least one connection end configured to engage with a portion of the support structure to maintain the patient positioned on the sheet and the roll strap in an angled position relative to the support surface, where at least one of the top edge or the bottom edge of the roll strap comprises a second fastening element that is configured to removably couple with the first fastening element. At least one embodiment relates to a roll strap for positioning a patient on a support structure having a support surface. The roll strap comprising an elongated sheet of material configured to be positioned under a portion of the patient, and at least one connection end configured to engage with a portion of the support structure to maintain the patient in an angled position relative to the support surface. At least one embodiment relates to a method for positioning a patient on a support structure having a support surface. The method comprising placing a sheet on the support structure under a patient, the sheet comprising a first fastening element, and fastening a roll strap to the sheet. The roll strap comprising a top edge, a bottom edge, and at least one connection end configured to engage