How often should a patient be repositioned to prevent pressure ulcers?

Repositioning a patient every two hours is the standard recommendation for preventing pressure ulcers. This interval is considered effective in relieving pressure on vulnerable areas of the body, such as the heels, sacrum, and elbows, which are more susceptible to injury due to prolonged immobility.

Maintaining this schedule helps to improve blood circulation and reduces the risk of tissue ischemia, which is a primary factor in the development of pressure ulcers. This is particularly important for patients who have limited mobility or are confined to bed.

While more frequent repositioning, such as every 30 minutes or hourly, may provide additional prevention, it is not always practical or necessary for all patients. Repositioning every four hours would likely increase the risk of skin breakdown and is generally not sufficient to maintain skin integrity in at-risk patients. Therefore, every two hours strikes a balance between effective pressure redistribution and practical nursing care.