Pillow positioning facilitates independent bridging for bedpan use in pelvic fractures

Abstract

The idea of giving a patient with fractures of the pelvis a mechanical advantage, by placing pillows under his/her back in order to make bridging for the bedpan easier, was tested in this clinical trial. Twenty nine subjects were entered by block randomisation into the experimental group and twenty nine into the control group. The number of days from entry into the trial until independent bridging was noted. Independent bridging is defined as the patient being able to lift high enough to slide a conventional stainless steel bedpan under the buttocks. Results show that there is a significant difference in time to bridging (Y = 0,602, p = 0,0027) in favour of the experimental group. Other variables studied appear to marginally favour the control rather than the experimental group, thus suggesting that the pillow method could be used safely and effectively in the treatment of patients who have sustained a range of pelvic fractures.