2236-009-101 REV B
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Nursing Procedures
RECOMMENDED LINEN
Special linens are not necessary for the Stryker Air I and II. While there is no need for a bottom sheet the therapy
pad should be covering the therapy cells at all times. The patient should never be lying directly on the therapy cells.
Depending upon the patient’s specific needs, the following linens may be utilized:
• Draw or slide sheet to aid in positioning and to further minimize friction and shearing.
• Incontinence barrier pad for patients incontinent of urine and/or stool, and patients with heavily draining wounds.
• Add top sheet, blanket and/or bedspread as needed for patient comfort.
• Keep the amount of padding between the patient and bed to a minimum for optimum performance.
CHANGING THE THERAPY PAD
1. Place the therapy pad over the therapy cells, fitting the corner of the cushions into the corner of the therapy pad.
(Similar to a fitted sheet)
2. Zip the therapy pad along each side of the mattress tub.
PATIENT POSITIONING AND COMFORT
General Repositioning: Patients should be turned and repositioned per individual turning schedule or per facility policy.
It may be helpful to activate the Autofirm mode to achieve a firm surface for repositioning purposes. The unit will
automatically return to the mode it was in prior to Autofirm in approximately 12 minutes or you can manually return to
therapy mode once patient has been repositioned. Unless counter indicated, it is desirable to keep the head of the bed
in the low position to provide optimal pressure relief and minimize the risk of shearing injuries.
Elevating Patient into Sitting Position: The special properties of the Stryker Air I and II therapy pad reduce the opportunity
for shear and friction that may occur when raising the head of other beds. As with any surface, sliding can be expected,
therefore patients should be repositioned after elevation. The knee gatch or foot of the bed may be elevated first, to help
prevent the patient from sliding when the head of the bed is elevated.
INCONTINENCE
Moisture against the skin surface leads to maceration, or softening of the tissues. To prevent maceration, we recommend
you use an incontinence barrier pad to absorb the excess moisture. In the event of incontinence or excess drainage on
the therapy pad, you should wipe off the excess fluid from the bed surface.
SAFETY INFORMATION
Patient Migration
Specialty bed products are designed to reduce/relieve pressure and the shearing/friction forces on the patient’s skin.
The risk of gradual movement and/or sinking into hazardous positions of entrapment and/or inadvertent bed exit may be
increased due to the nature of these products.
Traction
With any traction or unstable fractures, maintain physician-directed angle of articulation and guard against risks of patient
migration or inadvertent deflation of patient surface.
Skin Care
Monitor skin conditions regularly, particularly in areas where incontinence and drainage occur or collect, and consider
adjunct or alternative therapies for high acuity patients. Early intervention may be essential to preventing serious skin
breakdown.
Bed Height
To minimize the risks of falls or injury the patient surface should always be in the lowest practical position when the
patient is unattended. Make sure areas under and around the frame are clear of objects, persons and parts of body
before adjusting height.