The experience of using a hospital bed alternative at home among individuals with spinal cord injury: A case series

Abstract

Objective

To inform clinicians’ equipment recommendations by characterizing the experiences, skin integrity, and interface pressures in a series of recently discharged individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who chose to use an alternative adjustable bed system at home rather than a standard of care hospital bed with mattress overlay.

Design

Mixed methods, observational case series.

Setting

Community based.

Methods

Four individuals with cervical SCIs and one partner of a participant with SCI completed interviews about their experiences using an alternative adjustable bed system and their skin health. Participants also underwent pressure mapping on their alternative adjustable bed system and on a standard of care hospital bed with mattress overlay. Interview themes were identified using a consensus qualitative approach. Pressure readings at the sacrum and ischial tuberosities in supine and at the greater trochanter in side lying were compared between surfaces.

Outcome measures

Semi-structured interview, questionnaire, and pressure mapping.

Results

All participants reported positive experiences utilizing an alternative adjustable bed system and no episodes of bed-related skin breakdown. Reasons for wanting an alternative adjustable bed included a greater sense of normalcy and larger size. Participants perceived their alternative beds to be comfortable, and to have features that aided their function and assisted their caregivers. Features used included head of bed elevation, height elevation, and bed rails. All participants had clinically acceptable pressure mapping patterns on the alternative adjustable bed system.

Conclusion

An adjustable bed system, combined with other skin protection strategies, may be appropriate for certain individuals with spinal cord injury.

Keywords:

• Spinal cord injury
• Hospital bed
• Mattress
• Pressure injury
• Pressure, mapping
• Quality of life

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the participants in this study for their time and contributions.

Disclaimer statements

Contributors None.

Conflict of interest Authors have no conflict of interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

None.