Could lateral tilt mattresses be the answer to pressure ulcer prevention and management?

Pressure ulcers have been part of illness for thousands of years and are not reducing in number. Traditionally, since the Crimean War, patients have been ritually repositioned every 2 hours, regardless of the individual need. Pressure ulcers occur mainly on bony prominences, and so it makes sense to reposition into the 30 degree tilt, off of bony prominences. Nevertheless, this still takes time in order to reposition on a regular basis. It is time to look at automatic repositioning, reducing nursing time, increasing patient comfort and releasing carers to provide more social support to the patients.