A reusable, typically cotton, sheet placed on top of the bottom sheet of a bed, spanning from the patient’s shoulders to their thighs. Its primary purpose is to assist caregivers in moving, turning, or repositioning patients who have limited mobility. It facilitates these actions by reducing friction between the patient and the bed, requiring less force to execute these movements. As an example, a healthcare professional can grasp the folded edges of this aid to gently shift a bedridden individual without directly handling the patient’s body.
Employing this device is integral to preventing pressure ulcers, commonly known as bedsores, which can develop when patients remain in one position for extended periods. It minimizes shear and friction forces that contribute to skin breakdown. Historically, utilizing such a method has been a fundamental aspect of patient care in hospitals and nursing homes, promoting both patient comfort and caregiver safety by reducing the risk of back injuries associated with manual lifting and repositioning.