Inflatable pillow trialled on critically-ill patients

The inflatable pillow is used to gently reposition patients in intensive care

An innovative inflatable pillow is being trialled to help move and reposition patients in intensive care faster and in a safer manner.

The pillow is placed under a critically-ill patient, who may be sedated or ventilated, and is slowly inflated in sections to lift their chest and hip, helping ward staff safely reposition them.

The device, which is being trialled at Royal United Hospitals (RUH) in Bath, was co-developed by its clinicians and a team of researchers from the University of Bath.

"Moving critically-ill patients is a significant challenge on intensive care wards worldwide," said Dr Alexander Lunt, senior lecturer in mechanical engineering at the University of Bath.

Clinical trials using the Inflatable Prone Repositioning Device - known as 'BathMat' - began in late May.

The trials are backed by a 14-month funding award from the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The device is being trialled at Royal United Hospitals Bath and will extend to other NHS trusts

Further trials will involve 30 patients from four NHS intensive care units, including Southmead Hospital in North Bristol, Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester and Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.

The assistance provided by the BathMat has the added benefit of reducing the number of staff needed to move a patient from five to two.

The key outcomes experts will measure will include reductions in staff time required to reposition patients and reduction of pressure injuries, like sores.

Dr Jerome Condry, chief investigator and research fellow at Royal United Hospitals Bath, said that other ICU teams were showing enthusiasm for the device.

"Teams recognise the potential our device has to making repositioning proned (face-down) patients easier and safer for everyone involved," he said.

"We've already had other trusts reach out asking how they can access the device."