The Benefits of Automated Turning vs Manual Turning
Turning is an essential part of preventing pressure ulcers for care home residents. Pressure sores are painful and can lead to life-threatening complications, so it’s essential that a turning plan is in place for residents who are at risk of developing them. This guide looks at the benefits of automated turning systems vs manual turning in care homes.
Better quality sleep and rest
Manual turning every few hours is disruptive and can prevent the resident from getting quality rest and sleep.
Automated turning is less disruptive and doesn’t require the resident to be lifted and turned by a carer. Instead, an automated turning system gently and quietly inflates, turning the user without the intervention of a carer.
Reduces the risk of injuries
Manual lifting increases the risk of injuries to both the carer and the resident.
Traditional turning requires the person to be lifted and supported by using wedges and pillows – if done incorrectly, this can put additional strain on the body and skin.
As skin integrity is likely to be weakened, manual repositioning can put unnecessary pressure on the skin compared with the gentle turning of an automated turning system.
Contributes to wellbeing and higher self-esteem
Being manually turned can take its toll on a person’s mental health, especially if they are already vulnerable or in a lot of pain.
One of the biggest challenges for traditional repositioning is reluctance. If the person is in a lot of pain or trying to rest, they may not want to be moved, and this can have a negative impact on the mental and physical health of the resident.
Automatic turning is discreet, gentle and less invasive, providing the resident with the healthcare they need and the dignity they deserve.
Frees up carer time
Once set up, automated turning systems require little carer involvement. This releases a carers time to support the resident in other areas.
In contrast, manual turning requires round-the-clock care, and this sometimes isn’t logistically possible in some care homes.
Requires less training
To be able to manually reposition a person safely, carers need to undergo advanced training and ongoing support.
Meanwhile, automated turning systems require a lot less training, meaning more carers can use them and spend their time training in other areas that cannot be automated.
Improves overall health
Automated repositioning systems have additional health benefits for the user, including improved circulation and reduction in respiratory problems.
As they position the body to reduce pressure on the skin, automatic turning systems increase capillary circulation, which gets vital blood and oxygen moving around the body.
Enhances quality of life
Undisrupted sleep, boosted self-esteem, and improved physical health contribute to a better life quality.
Automatic turning systems help to enhance comfort, reduce pain and maintain dignity.
The Opera® AutoTurn is a lateral turning system designed to prevent and relieve pressure and turns any standard bed into an automated lateral turning bed. The AutoTurn redistributes pressure through its inflating and deflating air cells at a constant and comfortable flow.
The automatic frequent turning supports care givers in the regular turning of high-risk individuals utilising the 0-30° lateral turning positioning system for prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers.