Pressure injuries are common in intensive care unit (ICU) patients who cannot reposition themselves. International guidelines recommend using support surfaces to redistribute pressure and regular turning to prevent these injuries. In Taiwan, high-specification foam mattresses (HSFM) with manual turning remain the standard, but frequent repositioning is labor-intensive and challenging in settings with limited nursing staff. The Turn-Assist Alternating Pressure Air Mattress (TAPAM) integrates pressure redistribution with automated lateral turning, potentially reducing nursing workload while maintaining preventive effectiveness. This study will compare TAPAM with HSFM plus manual turning in ICU patients, evaluating manpower requirements, time spent, perceived effort, and clinical outcomes. A cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis will be conducted to assess the overall value of TAPAM for pressure injury prevention in high-risk ICU populations.
Adult patients (≥18 years old) admitted to medical or surgical intensive care units (ICUs).
Admission time between 08:00 and 23:00.
Clinical condition requires ICU-level care.
Repeat ICU admission during the study period.
Unstable spinal fracture.
Receiving cervical or skeletal traction.
Body weight >180 kg (exceeds mattress weight limit).