Effects of elevating the head of bed on interface pressure in volunteers

Abstract

Raising the head of bed to 30 degrees or higher on a intensive care unit bed increases the peak interface pressure between the skin at the sacral area and support surface in healthy volunteers. At 45 degrees head of bed elevation or higher, the affected area attributed to a skin-intensive care unit bed interface pressure >or=32 mm Hg increased as well. Further study is needed to determine whether the increased peak interface pressures and affected areas that result from raising the head of bed actually increase the incidence of pressure ulcer formation.