Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores or decubitus ulcers, are an increasing concern within the healthcare setting (Shannon, Brown & Chakravarty, 2012). They are caused by pressure, force or shear over bony prominence of the body resulting in damage to the skin and underlying tissue (Krapfl & Gray, 2008). Patients that have been identified as high risk for developing pressure ulcers, include the elderly, those with acute illness, those in an orthopaedic setting and patients who are bed bound (Shannon, Brown & Chakravarty, 2012). Literature suggests that pressure ulcers are not only physically painful but they can lead to patients suffering emotional and psychological trauma. The impact of pressure ulcers physically and emotionally can consequently lower patients' quality of life (Shannon, Brown & Chakravarty, 2012). Therefore this essay will analyse and discuss relevant literature regarding the prevention of pressure ulcers in reference to repositioning and frequency. .
In general, there is a consensus that patients need to be repositioned in order to reduce the risk of pressure accumulation (Beeckman, 2009). One approach which has been deemed to reduce the incidences of pressure ulcers is to position the patient in a thirty degree semi fowler position having the one side of the patient and knees elevated by a pillow as well as having the bed elevated at a thirty degree angle (Krapfl & Gray, 2008). However this was recommendation from a study conducted with healthy volunteers therefore results may vary with high risk pressure ulcer patients. Despite this, Queensland Health (2009) has recognised the thirty degree tilt as the preferred position outlining that it distributes the pressure evenly whilst allowing for ideal body alignment. Recent research also supports the position of the thirty degree tilt in comparison to using the ninety degree lateral rotation. Moore, Cowman and Conroy (2011) conducted a randomised controlled trial which indicated that pressure ulcer incidences were decreased with the use of the thirty degree tilt.
