WO2001064158A1

WO2001064158A1 - Device for turning over a patient

Info

Publication number: WO2001064158A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2000/000197
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ida Walburga Strydom; Catharina Jacoba Strydom
Original assignee: Ida Walburga Strydom; Catharina Jacoba Strydom
Priority date: 2000-03-02
Filing date: 2000-10-24
Publication date: 2001-09-07
Also published as: AU3129501A

Abstract

Opened Easy Turn, width 150 cm-90 cm in length and 4 cm depth, with 15 cm round rolls on either side. Flat surface with two side rolls, to prevent patient from falling out of bed, also to support the patient in the back to prevent the patient from rolling back onto his back. The flat surface is attached to the bottom layer with valcro, which is designed to easily be removed for laundry purposes. Bottom layer - durable and designed for even turning (Fig. A). Strapping is attached to bottom sheet and is also durable to turn over a patient safely and with great comfort for both patient and caretaker. Prior to this invention the turning of patients was done with much difficulty for both patient and caretaker (Fig. B).

Description

DESCRIPTION:

DEVICE FOR TURNING OVER A PATIENT

The inspiration for this "Invention" was to meet the following need: Prior to this invention - caretakers such as Nursing staff, parents etc had to turn disabled patients, such as - quadriplegics, frail elderly, stroke victims, patients suffering with multiple scleroses, cerebral palsy, and patients who

5 have had spinal surgery, over with great difficulty - needing two or more people to do the turning, causing back problems for handlers, as well as much anxiety for the patients, as many suffer from fear of further injuries and falling or rolling over the edge of the bed, in the process of turning, as both parties realise that much strength and care is needed to turn a single patient.

10 This also resulted in emotional stress for all parties concerned - because where the handlers are family members they too become victims of the condition, as they are trapped in the situation where they constantly have to be in close proximity to be able to help with the turning of the patient. A patient suffering from the conditions mentioned above, has to be turned approximately 6 to 8 times during

15 the course of 24 hours at the same time trying not to further aggravate the discomfort, pain and pressure sores (decubitus ulsers) With the invention of the "Easy Turn" the following problems can be solved: a) With the use of the easy turn a patient can be turned over as many times a day, as necessary - by only one caregiver b) When the patient has to be turned, the caregiver (only one) male or female, old or young - as it does not need much physical strength or effort - can easily turn over the patient - see drawing (b). The patient can now be turned over as many times and more times than required to prevent discomfort, pain, and pressure sores (decubitus ulsers

The bottom layer of the Easy Turn is made up of a flat PVC or any such substitute material - natural or synthetic or a mixture of both natural and synthetic material -for extra durability, safety, and to waterproof or not waterproof- the bed. This sheet is designed with strong straps or handle/s attached at strategic places - see drawing (a) made up of webbing or any other durable fabric- to evenly and safely turn the patient over The straps/handle/s are also strategically placed to cause as little movement as possible of the spinal area - particularly shortly after surgery The strapping handle/s on this sheet is attached not only to turn the patient over, but also to perform a sliding action, which can be used to transfer the patient from one side of the bed to the other, effortlessly -

On top of this base, is attached by Valero, or any other safe way, a soft surface for the patient to comfortably he on This surface is made up of natural or synthetic fabπc or a mixture of both - all carefully designed to be compatible to the patient's needs This surface on which the patient has to he - can also be waterproof - this surface is easily removed for laundry purposes - but can also be made up as a disposable unit, when necessary(drawιng A) At both sides of this lying surface is two tubular rolls length as necessary - shaped to prevent them from slipping - the circumference measurement 15cm more or less, depending on the need of the patient - which prevent the patient once he has been turned to roll back - onto his back and also to prevent the patient from rolling over the edge of the bed in the process of turning. These rolls can be made up of both natural, or synthetic fabric, or natural and synthetic material mixed. The rolls slide in or out of the tubular side of this surface for laundry purposes and for comfort, however they can also be fitted as a fixture to this surface.

To turn the patient onto the other side, the exercise is simply reversed. The turning action is simply done, by one caregiver - male or female - old or young by simply reaching for straps (or handle/s) from the opposite side of the bed and gently pulls to roll the patient onto his/her side (see drawing B)

This device cannot be copied by using electricity, computerised system or mechanical operation -

Claims

Prior to this invention - caretakers such as nursing staff, parents, etc had to turn Disabled patients such as quadriplegics, frail elderly, stroke victims, patients suffering with multiple scleroses, cerebral palsy and patients who have had spinal surgery, over with great difficulty - needing two or more people to do the turning This caused back problems for handlers, as well as much anxiety for the patients, as many suffer from fear of further injuries and falling or rolling over the edge of the bed, in the process of turning, as both parties realise that much strength and care is needed to turn a single patient This also resulted in emotional stress for all parties concerned - because where the caretakers are family members they too become victims of the condition, as they are trapped in the situation where they constantly have to be in close proximity to be able to help with the turning of the patient

A patient suffering from the conditions mentioned above, has to be turned approximately 6-8 times during the course of 24 hours at the same time trying not to further aggravate the discomfort, pain and pressure sores (decubitus ulsers) a)With the invention of the Easy Turn the following problems can be solved day as necessary - by only one caregiver (see Drawing B) b)When the patient has to be turned, the caregiver (only one) male or female old or young, as they do not use their strength to do the turning as the Easy Turn does the work c) The patient can now be turned over as many times as required_without rolling back - as the rolls also are designed to keep the patient from rolling back onto his back and therefor prevent discomfort, pain and pressure sores