It is considered a best practice to reposition individuals with or at risk of pressure injuries using a personalised regimen. This approach ensures that repositioning intervals and methods are tailored to the individual’s unique needs, promoting effective prevention and management of pressure injuries.
Good Practice
Repositioning intervals should be determined based on a comprehensive assessment of the individual’s:
- Level of activity and mobility
- Ability to independently reposition
- Skin and tissue tolerance
- Clinical condition
- Comfort
- Sleep patterns
- Goals of care
- Type of full-body support surface in use
Additionally, it is essential to monitor for early signs of skin or tissue injury, which may necessitate more frequent repositioning or specific positioning to offload pressure from affected areas.
Supporting Evidence
1. Repositioning is a key strategy in pressure injury prevention, redistributing pressure and improving blood flow. Guidelines recommend individualised schedules, considering factors such as mobility, skin tolerance, and clinical condition1,2
2. Research demonstrates the efficacy of diverse repositioning schedules (such as every 2, 3, or 4 hours) and postures (for instance, a 30° tilt) in decreasing the occurrence of pressure injuries while maintaining positive patient outcomes. This evidence underscores the importance of flexible and individualised repositioning strategies in pressure injury prevention.1,2,3,4
3. The EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA guidelines emphasise the importance of tailoring repositioning regimens to individual needs, ensuring optimal pressure redistribution and comfort1,5,6
By adopting an individualised approach, healthcare providers can better address the diverse needs of patients, reducing the risk of pressure injuries and improving overall care outcomes.
References
1. WoundsUK (2024) ‘Repositioning for Pressure Ulcer Prevention’ [online], available: https://wounds-uk.com/wp-conte…
2. Yap, T.L., Horn, S.D., Sharkey, P.D., Zheng, T., Bergstrom, N., Colon-Emeric, C., Sabol, V.K., Alderden, J., Yap, W. and Kennerly, S.M. (2022) ‘Effect of Varying Repositioning Frequency on Pressure Injury Prevention in Nursing Home Residents: TEAM-UP Trial Results’, Adv Skin Wound Care, 35(6):315-325. doi: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000817840.68588.04. PMID: 35051978; PMCID: PMC9119401.
3. Asiri, S. (2023) ‘Turning and Repositioning Frequency to Prevent Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries Among Adult Patients: Systematic Review’, INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 60. doi:10.1177/00469580231215209
4. Gillespie, B.M., Walker, R.M., Latimer, S.L., Thalib, L., Whitty, J.A., McInnes, E. and Chaboyer, W.P. (2020) ‘Repositioning for pressure injury prevention in adults’, Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 6(6):CD009958. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009958.pub3. PMID: 32484259; PMCID: PMC7265629.
5. EPUAP (2025) ‘PU Guidelines: European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel’, [online], available: https://epuap.org/pu-guideline…
6. NICE (2014) ‘Overview: Pressure ulcers: prevention and management (Guidance)’, [online], available: https://www.nice.org.uk/Guidan…
** Note – the purpose of this blog is to give an overview of the product with some tips to consider on its use. This is not intended to be a substitute for professional or medical advice, diagnosis, prescription or treatment and does not constitute medical or other professional advice. For advice with your personal health or that of someone in your care, consult your doctor or appropriate medical professional.
