Patent Publication Number: US-8984681-B2

Title: Apparatus and system for turning and positioning a patient

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/014,497, filed Jan. 26, 2011, and is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/014,500, filed Jan. 26, 2011, which prior applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties and made part hereof. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, system, and method for turning and positioning a person supine on a bed or the like, and, more particularly, to a system that includes one or more of a base sheet, a glide sheet, an absorbent pad, and/or a wedge, as well as methods including one or more of such apparatuses. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Nurses and other caregivers at hospitals, assisted living facilities, and other locations often care for bedridden patients that have limited or no mobility, many of whom are critically ill or injured. These immobile patients are at risk for forming pressure ulcers (bed sores). Pressure ulcers are typically formed by one or more of several factors. Pressure on a patient&#39;s skin, particularly for extended periods of time and in areas where bone or cartilage protrudes close to the surface of the skin, can cause pressure ulcers. Frictional forces and shearing forces from the patient&#39;s skin rubbing or pulling against a resting surface can also cause pressure ulcers. Excessive heat and moisture can cause the skin to be more fragile and increase the risk for pressure ulcers. One area in which pressure ulcers frequently form is on the sacrum, because a patient lying on his/her back puts constant pressure on the sacrum, and sliding of the patient in a bed can also cause friction and shearing at the sacrum. Additionally, some patients need to rest with their heads inclined for pulmonary reasons, which can cause patients to slip downward in the bed and cause further friction or shearing at the sacrum and other areas. Existing devices and methods often do not adequately protect against pressure ulcers in bedridden patients, particularly pressure ulcers in the sacral region. 
     One effective way to combat sacral pressure ulcers is frequent turning of the patient, so that the patient is resting on one side or the other, and pressure is taken off of the sacrum. Pillows that are stuffed partially under the patient are often used to support the patient&#39;s body in resting on their left or right sides. A protocol is often used for scheduled turning of bedridden patients, and dictates that patients should be turned Q2, or every two hours, either from resting at a 30° angle on one side to a 30° angle on the other side, or from 30° on one side to 0°/supine (lying on his/her back) to 30° on the other side. However, turning patients is difficult and time consuming, typically requiring two or more caregivers, and can result in injury to caregivers from pushing and pulling the patient&#39;s weight during such turning. As a result, ensuring compliance with turning protocols, Q2 or otherwise, is often difficult. Additionally, the pillows used in turning and supporting the patient are non-uniform and can pose difficulties in achieving consistent turning angles, as well as occasionally slipping out from underneath the patient. 
     Care of patients having large size and/or weight can involve many of the same problems and issues described above, and may also present further difficulty due to the larger size and/or weight of the patients. This can result in greater strain on both equipment and caregivers, as well as increased difficulty in properly positioning the patient. Additionally, sometimes large patients require use of specialized beds that are wider and have a higher weight capacity. 
     The present invention seeks to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of existing devices, systems, and methods, and to provide new features not heretofore available. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates generally to systems for turning and positioning persons in a supine position, such as a patient in a hospital bed. Aspects of the invention relate to a device or system for use with a bed having a frame and a supporting surface supported by the frame, the system including a base sheet having a bottom surface adapted to be placed above the supporting surface of the bed and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, the top and bottom surfaces being defined by peripheral edges of the sheet. The base sheet has a piece of releasable connecting material (e.g. hook-and-loop) that is connected to the top surface of the base sheet and is spaced inwardly from one of the peripheral edges of the base sheet. The base sheet also has a flap positioned proximate the piece of releasable connecting material and having a fixed end connected to the top surface of the base sheet, in an area located between the connecting material and the first peripheral edge of the base sheet, and a free end opposite the fixed end. The free end of the flap can be folded over the piece so that the flap at least partially covers the connecting material. In one embodiment, the flap may have sufficient size such that the free end can be folded over to completely cover the connecting material. 
     According to one aspect, the sheet has another piece of releasable connecting material connected to the top surface of the sheet and spaced inwardly from a second of the peripheral edges of the sheet opposite the first edge, and also has a second flap positioned proximate the second piece of releasable connecting material. The second piece of connecting material and the corresponding second flap are configured in the same way as the first piece of connecting material and the corresponding flap described above. In one embodiment, the pieces of connecting material are both elongated along directions substantially parallel to the respective adjacent peripheral edges of the sheet, with each having two opposed elongated edges. The flaps each have their fixed ends connected to the top surface of the sheet along one of the elongated edges of the corresponding piece of connecting material that is most proximate to the respective adjacent peripheral edge of the sheet. The flaps may be rectangular and elongated along the direction substantially parallel to the respective adjacent peripheral edge of the sheet. 
     According to another aspect, the sheet further includes a plurality of fasteners located around the peripheral edges of the sheet. The fasteners are configured to releasably fasten the sheet to the bed. The fasteners may include connection straps extending from the peripheral edges and configured for releasably fastening the sheet to the bed, such that at least some of the connection straps have complementary connectors (e.g. buckles, snaps, etc.) for connection to each other to releasably fasten the sheet to the bed. The sheet may also include a tether strap connected to the sheet and extending from the sheet, such that the tether strap is configured to be releasably connected to a glide sheet placed over the top surface of the sheet. 
     Additional aspects of the invention relate to a system that includes a base sheet having a bottom surface adapted to be placed above the supporting surface of the bed and a top surface opposite the bottom surface, and a glide sheet positioned above the top surface of the base sheet. The base sheet has a plurality of fasteners located around the peripheral edges, where the fasteners are configured to releasably fasten the base sheet to the bed. A first tether strap is connected to the base sheet and extends from the base sheet, and a second tether strap is connected to the glide sheet and extending from the glide sheet. The first tether strap and the second tether strap have complementary connecting structures, such that the first strap is configured to be connected to the second strap to hold the glide sheet in position relative to the base sheet. Additionally, at least one of the tether straps includes an elastic portion forming at least a portion of a length thereof. 
     According to one aspect, the first tether strap and the second tether strap have complementary releasable connecting structures, such as a hook-and-loop connecting structure. 
     According to another aspect, the system also includes a wedge having a base wall, a ramp surface, an apex formed by the base wall and the ramp surface, and a back wall opposite the apex, with the ramp surface being positioned at an angle to the base wall. The wedge is configured to be positioned between the base sheet and the glide sheet, such that the base wall confronts the top surface of the base sheet and the ramp surface confronts a bottom surface of the glide sheet. The system may also include a piece of releasable connecting material connected to the top surface of the base sheet and a flap positioned proximate the first piece, as described above. The system may further include another piece of releasable connecting material connected to the base wall of the wedge, where the releasable connecting materials of the first and second pieces are complementary. In this configuration, the wedge and the base sheet are configured such that, upon insertion of the wedge between the base sheet and the glide sheet from the adjacent peripheral edge of the base sheet, the apex of the wedge pushes the flap away from the first peripheral edge to cover the piece of connecting material, and a subsequent force exerted on the wedge toward the peripheral edge causes the flap to be pushed toward the first peripheral edge to expose at least a portion of the connecting material, causing the second piece to become connected to an exposed portion of the connecting material to resist further movement of the wedge toward the first peripheral edge. Still further, the bottom surface of the glide sheet and the back wall of the wedge may include complementary releasable connecting materials, such that when the apex of the wedge is fully inserted between the base sheet and the glide sheet, a portion of the glide sheet including the connecting material drapes over the back wall of the wedge and the connecting materials can be connected to resist movement of the wedge and the glide sheet relative to each other. 
     According to a further aspect, the bottom surface of the glide sheet has a low friction surface forming at least a portion of the bottom surface, and the top surface has a high friction surface forming at least a portion of the top surface, such that the top surface provides greater slipping resistance than the bottom surface. In one embodiment, the top surface of the base sheet has a low friction surface forming at least a portion of the top surface, such that the low friction surface of the base sheet and the low friction surface of the glide sheet are formed by the same low friction material. 
     Further aspects of the invention relate to a system that includes a base sheet having a bottom surface adapted to be placed above the supporting surface of the bed and a top surface opposite the bottom surface and a wedge that includes a base wall, a ramp surface, an apex formed by the base wall and the ramp surface, and a back wall opposite the apex, with the ramp surface being positioned at an angle to the base wall. The base sheet has a piece of releasable connecting material connected to the top surface and spaced inwardly from one of the peripheral edges, and the wedge has a complementary piece of releasable connecting material connected to the base wall. The wedge is configured to be positioned over the base sheet, such that the base wall confronts the top surface of the base sheet. Upon placement of the wedge over the base sheet proximate the peripheral edge of the base sheet, the connecting material of the wedge becomes connected to the connecting material of the base sheet to resist movement of the wedge toward the peripheral edge. 
     According to one aspect, the base sheet includes a flap positioned proximate the connecting material, which can be folded over to cover the connecting material of the base sheet, as described above. Upon placement of the wedge over the base sheet by sliding the wedge from the peripheral edge of the base sheet, the apex of the wedge pushes the flap away from the first peripheral edge to cover the first piece. A subsequent force exerted on the wedge toward the peripheral edge causes the flap to be pushed toward the peripheral edge to expose at least a portion of the first piece, causing the second piece to become connected to the exposed portion of the first piece to resist further movement of the wedge toward the first peripheral edge. 
     According to another aspect, the system also includes a glide sheet positioned above the top surface of the base sheet. The wedge is configured to be placed between the base sheet and the glide sheet. The glide sheet may include another piece of releasable connecting material connected to a bottom surface, and the wedge may have a complementary piece of releasable connecting material connected to the back wall. As described above, a portion of the glide sheet may drape over the back wall of the wedge so that the complementary connecting materials become connected to resist movement of the wedge and the glide sheet relative to each other. 
     According to a further aspect, the wedge is formed of a body made from a compressible foam material defining the base wall, the ramp surface, the apex, and the back wall. The connecting material of the wedge is connected to the body, and the wedge further includes a low-friction material connected to the body and forming at least a portion of the ramp surface. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a system for use in turning and positioning a patient, according to aspects of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a base sheet, a glide sheet, and a wedge of the system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the base sheet and the wedge of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the base sheet and the glide sheet of  FIG. 1  resting on a supporting surface of a bed, with a potential position of a patient illustrated in broken lines; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of a head of the bed of  FIG. 4 , along with portions of the base sheet and glide sheet; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the glide sheet of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the wedge of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the wedge of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 1  connected to a bed, with a patient lying on the bed, illustrating the insertion of two wedges to support the patient; 
         FIGS. 10-15  are a chronological series of cross-sectional views, illustrating placement of a wedge between the base sheet and the glide sheet of  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the system of  FIG. 9  after successful placement of the wedges to support the patient. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated and described. 
     In general, the invention relates to one or more apparatuses or devices, including a base sheet configured for connection to a bed, a glide sheet having a high friction or gripping surface and/or a low friction or slipping surface, an absorbent body pad configured to be placed over the glide sheet, and one or more wedges configured to be placed underneath the sheet to support the patient in an angled position, as well as systems including one or more of such devices and methods utilizing one or more of such systems and/or devices. Various embodiments of the invention are described below. 
     Referring now to the figures, and initially to  FIGS. 1-5 , there is shown an exemplary embodiment of a system  10  for use in turning and positioning a person in a supine position, such as a patient lying on a hospital bed. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the system  10  includes a base sheet  80 , a glide sheet  20  positioned over the base sheet  80 , an absorbent body pad  40  configured to be placed over the glide sheet  20 , and one or more wedges  50  configured to be placed under the glide sheet  20 , such as between the glide sheet  20  and the base sheet  80 . The patient can be positioned on top of the body pad  40 , with the body pad  40  lying on the glide sheet  20  and the glide sheet  20  lying on the base sheet  80 , and with one or more wedges  50  optionally positioned between the glide sheet  20  and the base sheet  80 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 16 , the system  10  is configured to be placed on a bed  12  or other support apparatus for supporting a person  70  in a supine position. The bed  12  generally includes a frame  14  and a supporting surface  16  supported by the frame  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 . The supporting surface  16  can be provided by a mattress  18  or similar structure, and in various embodiments, the mattress  18  can incorporate air pressure support, alternating air pressure support and/or low-air-loss (LAL) technology. These technologies are known in the art, and utilize a pump motor or motors (not shown) to effectuate airflow into, over and/or through the mattress  18 . The air aids in supporting the patient, and the top of the mattress  18  may be breathable so that the airflow can pull heat and moisture vapor away from the patient. The bed  12  may also include a bed sheet (not shown) such as a fitted sheet or flat sheet, as well as pillows, blankets, additional sheets, and other components known in the art. Further, the bed  12  may be an adjustable bed, such as a typical hospital-type bed, where the head  13  (or other parts) of the bed  12  can be raised and lowered, such as to incline the patient&#39;s upper body. It is understood that the system  10  and the components thereof can be used with other types of beds  12  as well. For patients of larger sizes, larger beds may be used. For example, a standard hospital-type bed is typically 35-36 inches wide, and for larger patients, a bed that is 40-50 inches wide may be used. 
     An example embodiment of the base sheet  80  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 2-4 . In general, the base sheet  80  is flexible and foldable, and has a top surface  81  and a bottom surface  82  defined by a plurality of peripheral edges  83 . As seen in  FIGS. 1-4 , the base sheet  80  in this embodiment is rectangular, having four peripheral edges  83 , but could have a different shape in other embodiments. The base sheet  80  is configured to be positioned on the bed  12  so that the bottom surface  82  is above the supporting surface  16  of the bed  12  and faces or confronts the supporting surface  16 , and is supported by the supporting surface  16 . As used herein, “above,” “below,” “over,” and “under” do not imply direct contact or engagement. For example, the bottom surface  82  being above the supporting surface  16  means that that the bottom surface  82  may be in contact with the supporting surface  16 , or may face or confront the supporting surface  16  and/or be supported by the supporting surface  16  with one or more structures located between the bottom surface  22  and the supporting surface  16 , such as a bed sheet as described above. Likewise, “facing” or “confronting” does not imply direct contact or engagement, and may include one or more structures located between the surface and the structure it is confronting or facing. In one embodiment, the base sheet  80  may be configured for use with larger beds, such as beds that are 40-50 inches wide, and may have a width of approximately 58 inches. In this configuration, the 58-inch base sheet  80  would overlap the sides of a 50-inch mattress by 4 inches on each side. 
     In this embodiment, the base sheet  80  is formed primarily of a low-friction or sliding material, which may include polyester and/or nylon (polyamide), as similarly described below with respect to the glide sheet  20 . The low friction material may additionally or alternately be formed of other materials. At least a portion of the top surface  81  and at least a portion of the bottom surface  82  of the base sheet  80  are formed of the low friction material in this embodiment, and the base sheet may be made substantially entirely of the low friction material, with other materials connected to the low friction material. In other embodiments, the base sheet  80  may not include the low friction material on one or both surfaces  81 ,  82 , and/or may contain a smaller or larger proportion of the low friction material. 
     The base sheet  80  in this embodiment has a fastening assembly that includes a plurality of fasteners  84  around the peripheral edges  83 , configured for releasably fastening the base sheet  80  to the bed  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , the fasteners  84  are in the form of a plurality of straps that extend from the edges  83  of the base sheet  80 . Some of the straps  84  in this embodiment have buckles  85  for connecting to themselves, connecting to a portion of the bed  12  (such as another strap connected to the bed  12 ) or for connecting to other straps, and may be configured for wrapping around portions of the bed  12 , including portions of the frame  14  and/or mattress  18 . Two straps  84  proximate the top edge  83  of the base sheet  80  have ends  84 A that are close to the centerline of the base sheet  80 , which is described in greater detail below. Some other straps  84  may not include buckles  85 , such as the corner straps  84 B, which are made from an elastic material and are designed to be stretched underneath corners of the mattress  18 . In other embodiments, different types of fasteners  84  or a different type of fastening assembly may be utilized, which may contain different fastening or connecting structures. For example, in one embodiment, a drawstring or other tightening apparatus connected around the edges  83  of the base sheet  80 , which can be tightened or cinched around the perimeter of the mattress  18  and/or another part of the bed  12 , may function as a fastening assembly. 
     The base sheet  80  may also contain positioning markers  86 A-B, as in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . In this embodiment, two positioning markers  86 A indicate where the top peripheral edge  23  of the glide sheet  20  should be aligned when the glide sheet  20  is placed on top of the base sheet  80 , as described below. Additionally, another positioning marker  86 B indicates approximately where the base sheet  80  should be aligned with the head  13  of the bed  12  when placed over the supporting surface  16 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the base sheet  80  also includes pieces of a releasable connecting material  87 , such as a hook-and-loop connecting material, connected to the top surface  81  (e.g. by stitching). The pieces of the releasable connecting material  87  are shown in the form of elongated strips  87  of hook-and-loop connecting material connected to the top surface  81  in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the strips  87  are spaced inwardly from the two opposed left and right peripheral edges  83  of the base sheet  80 , and have elongated edges  87 A forming a direction of elongation that runs substantially parallel to the respective peripheral edges  83 . In other embodiments, the pieces of connecting material  87  may have different forms, structures, and/or configurations, such as being in the form of intermittent patches of the connecting material, or other configurations. Further, other types of connecting materials may be utilized as part or all of the connecting material  87  and other connecting materials described herein. Such connecting materials may include other releasable connecting structures, and may also include materials that limit movement of the structures in one or more directions. For example, the connecting material may include a material that resists movement in at least one direction or along at least one axis, while allowing movement in at least one other direction or along at least one other axis. Such directionally-oriented materials may include complementary materials that cooperate to limit movement in one or more directions. 
     The embodiment of the base sheet  80  in  FIGS. 1-5  also has flaps  88  connected to the top surface  81 , which are configured for covering part or all of the pieces of connecting material  87 . In this embodiment, each of the two pieces of connecting material  87  has an adjacent flap  88 . Each flap  88  is flexible and has a fixed end or edge  88 A connected to the top surface  81  of the base sheet  80  (e.g. by stitching) and a free end or edge  88 B that is moveable to allow the flap  88  to fold over upon itself. As shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3 , the flaps  88  each have the fixed end  88 A positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to one of the elongated edges  87 A of the strips  87 , between the respective strip  87  and the most proximate peripheral edge  83  (i.e. left or right edge  83 ) of the base sheet  80 . The flaps  88  are foldable, such that the free ends  88 B can be folded over the adjacent strips  87  to cover at least a portion of each of the strips  87 . In the embodiment shown, the flaps  88  have sufficient size (elongated length and/or width measured transverse to the length) so that when the free ends  88 B are folded over, the flaps  88  completely cover the strips of connecting material  87 . Additionally, the flaps  88  are each elongated in the same direction as the strips  87  in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . The flaps  88  may also have reinforcing material  89  positioned around the edges, which can add stiffness/structural reinforcement, as well as increasing durability. The reinforcing material  89  may additionally or alternately provide a surface to enhance gripping of the flap  88 , to allow the wedge  50  to push the flap  88  over the connecting material  87  or to pull the flap  88  backward to expose a portion of the connecting material  87 , as described below. In one embodiment, the reinforcing material  89  is connected around at least a portion of the free end  88 B of the flap  88 , and may be connected around the entire free end  88 B, as well as the sides extending between the free end  88 B and the fixed end  88 A. The reinforcing material  89  may be nylon or other woven material, and may be the same material as the handles  28  of the glide sheet  20 , described below. The flaps  88  may be made primarily from the same material as the base sheet  80 , such as the low friction material described herein, or may be formed of a different material. In other embodiments, the flaps  88  may have a different configuration. For example, the flaps  88  may have fixed ends  88 A that are spaced farther from the edges  87 A of the strips  87 , and may be larger in size to permit the flaps  88  to completely cover the strips  87 . Other configurations are possible. 
     The base sheet  80  and the glide sheet  20  each contain connecting members that have connecting structures that are configured for complementary connection to each other, such as complementary releasable connecting materials (e.g. hook-and-loop connection). The base sheet  80  has a connecting member in the form of a tether strap  90  that is positioned at the top peripheral edge  83  of the base sheet  80 , which is configured to be positioned at the head  13  of the bed  12 . The strap  90  may be made from a single piece or multiple pieces. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , the strap  90  is formed from a single piece of substantially non-elastic material that has little to no stretchability, and has a fixed end connected to the base sheet  80  and a free end opposite the fixed end. In another embodiment, the strap  90  may include at least a portion made from an elastic material, such as a variable force elastic material that allows initial stretching for a distance (e.g. 2-3 inches) and then provides increased resistance to stretching. As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the strap  90  is stitched to the base sheet  80  at the fixed end and is formed of a material that is able to constitute a loop structure for hook-and-loop connection, allowing the strap  90  to be connected with complementary hook-and-loop connections. As described in greater detail below, the connecting member (e.g. strap  90 ) of the base sheet  80  is configured for connection to a connecting member of the glide sheet  20 , using complementary releasable connecting materials (e.g. hook-and-loop connection). As described below, the connecting member of the glide sheet  20  may be in the form of a tether strap  30 . In another embodiment, only one of the base sheet  80  and the glide sheet  20  may contain a tether strap  30 ,  90 , and the other one of the sheets  20 ,  80  may include a different type of connecting member, such as a patch of connecting material (e.g. a patch of hook-and-loop material) that is configured for connection to the tether strap  30 ,  90 . In a further embodiment, both the base sheet  80  and the glide sheet  20  may include different types of connecting members. 
     An example embodiment of the glide sheet  20  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . In general, the glide sheet  20  is flexible and foldable, and has a top surface  21  and a bottom surface  22  defined by a plurality of peripheral edges  23 . As seen in  FIGS. 1-2  and  4 - 6 , the glide sheet  20  in this embodiment is rectangular, having four peripheral edges  23 , but could be a different shape in other embodiments. The top surface  21  has at least a portion formed of a high-friction or gripping material  24 , and the bottom surface  22  has at least a portion formed of a low-friction or sliding material  25 . In this embodiment, the sheet includes a first piece  26  of sheet material that is formed partially or entirely of the low-friction material  25 , with a second piece  27  of sheet material that is formed partially or entirely of the high-friction material  24 , with the second piece  27  connected to the first piece  26  in a surface-to-surface, confronting relation to form a layered structure. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2  and  4 - 6 , the first piece  26  is larger than the second piece  27 , so that the first piece  26  forms the entire bottom surface  22  of the sheet  20 , and the second piece  27  forms at least a majority portion of the top surface  21 , with the edges of the second piece  27  being recessed from the edges  23  of the sheet  20 . In other words, in this embodiment, the glide sheet  20  is primarily formed by the first piece  26 , with the second piece  27  connected to the first piece  26  to form at least a part of the top surface  21 . In another embodiment, the first piece  26  forms at least a majority portion of the bottom surface  22 , and the second piece  27  forms at least a majority portion of the top surface  21 . The pieces  26 ,  27  are connected by stitching in one embodiment, but may have additional or alternate connections in other embodiments, including adhesives, sonic welding, heat welding and other techniques, including techniques familiar to those skilled in the art. Additionally, the low-friction material  25  and/or the high-friction material  24  may be formed by multiple pieces in other embodiments. For example, the first piece  26  made of the low-friction material  25  may have a plurality of strips or patches of the high-friction material  24  connected on the top surface  21  in one embodiment. In a further embodiment, the high friction material  24  may be or include a coating applied to the low friction piece  26 , such as a spray coating. As described in greater detail below, the low-friction material  25  permits sliding of the glide sheet  20  in contact with the base sheet  80 , and the high-friction material  24  provides increased resistance to slipping or sliding of the patient and/or the body pad  40  on which the patient may be lying, in contact with the glide sheet  20 . 
     As shown in the embodiment in  FIGS. 1-2 , the first piece  26  is made substantially entirely of the low-friction material  25 . In one embodiment, the low-friction material  25  is at least partially made from polyester and/or nylon (polyamide), although other materials can be used in addition to or instead of these materials. In one embodiment, the high friction material  24  is a warp knit tricot material that may be brushed, napped, and/or sanded to raise its pile, which can enhance comfort, and may be made of polyester and/or another suitable material. The material  24  can then be treated with a high friction substance, such as a hot melt adhesive or appropriate plastic, which can be applied as a discontinuous coating to promote breathability. The material  24  can also be treated with a water repellant, such as PTFE. In other embodiments, the high-friction material  24  may include any combination of these components, and may contain other components in addition to or instead of these components. Additionally, both the first and second pieces  26 ,  27  may be breathable in one embodiment, to allow passage of air, heat, and moisture vapor away from the patient. 
     Generally, the high friction material  24  has a coefficient of friction that is higher than the coefficient of friction of the low friction material  25 . In one embodiment, the coefficient of friction for the high friction material  24  is about 8-10 times higher than the coefficient of friction of the low friction material  25 . In another embodiment, the coefficient of friction for the high friction material  24  is between 5 and 10 times higher, or at least 5 times higher, than the coefficient of friction of the low friction material  25 . The coefficient of friction, as defined herein, can be measured as a direct proportion to the pull force necessary to move either of the materials  24 ,  25  in surface-to-surface contact with the same third material, with the same normal force loading. Thus, in the embodiments above, if the pull force for the high friction material  24  is about 8-10 times greater than the pull force for the low friction material  25 , with the same contact material and normal loading, the coefficients of friction will also be 8-10 times different. It is understood that the coefficient of friction may vary by the direction of the pull force, and that the coefficient of friction measured may be measured in a single direction. For example, in one embodiment, the above differentials in the coefficients of friction of the high friction material  24  and the low friction material  25  may be measured as the coefficient of friction of the low friction material  25  based on a pull force normal to the side edges  23  (i.e. proximate the handles  28 ) and the coefficient of friction of the high friction material  24  based on a pull force normal to the top and bottom edges  23  (i.e. parallel to the side edges  23 ). 
     Additionally, the coefficient of friction of the interface between the high-friction material  24  and the pad  40  is greater than the coefficient of friction of the interface between the low friction material  25  and base sheet  80  or the supporting surface  16 . It is understood that the coefficients of friction for the interfaces may also be measured in a directional orientation, as described above. In one embodiment, the coefficient of friction for the interface of the high friction material  24  is about 8-10 times higher than the coefficient of friction of the interface of the low friction material  25 . In another embodiment, the coefficient of friction for the interface of the high friction material  24  is between 5 and 10 times higher, or at least 5 times higher, than the coefficient of friction of the interface of the low friction material  25 . It is understood that the coefficient of friction for the interface could be modified to at least some degree by modifying factors other than the glide sheet  20 . For example, a high-friction substance or surface treatment may be applied to the bottom surface  44  of the pad  40 , to increase the coefficient of friction of the interface. Examples of comparisons of the coefficients of friction for these surfaces and interfaces are shown in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/014,497 and 13/014,500, filed Jan. 26, 2011, which are incorporated by reference herein and made part hereof in their entireties. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 15 , the glide sheet  20  also has a plurality of pieces of connecting material  38  on the bottom surface  22 . In this embodiment, the pieces of connecting material  38  are in the form of rectangular patches  38  formed by a plurality of strips positioned in a row, and may be connected to the bottom surface  22  of the glide sheet  20  by stitching or another technique. The function of the pieces of connecting material  38  is described in greater detail below. In another embodiment, the bottom surface  22  may include pieces of connecting material  38  that are different in number, size, configuration, location, etc., or may contain no pieces of connecting material  38 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 , the glide sheet  20  also includes a connecting member in the form of an elongated tether strap  30  connected to the glide sheet  20  and extending from the glide sheet  20  to connect to the base sheet  80  to secure the glide sheet  20  in place. As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the tether strap  30  is connected to the top edge  23  of the glide sheet  20  and extends to connect the strap  30  to the top edge  83  of the base sheet  80 , such as by connection to the tether strap  90  of the base sheet  80 . The tether strap  90  of the base sheet  80  may be connectable to the strap  30  of the glide sheet  20  by a releasable connecting structure, such as a hook-and-loop connection (e.g. Velcro). In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , the strap  30  of the glide sheet  20  has a piece of hook-type connecting material  32 , and the strap  90  of the base sheet  80  is formed wholly or partially of a material that can function as a loop-type connecting material, allowing for connection of the two straps  30 ,  90 . In another embodiment, the strap  30  may be connected to the tether strap  90  or other part of the base sheet  80  by a different configuration, including ties, snaps, buckles, adhesives, or other releasable or non-releasable fastener configurations. As described above, in a further embodiment, one or both of the glide sheet  20  and the base sheet  80  may include a different type of connecting member other than a tether strap  30 ,  90 , such as a patch of releasable connecting material connected directly to the sheet  20 ,  80 . 
     The strap  30  may be made from a single piece or multiple pieces. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6 , the strap  30  is formed from an elastic material that is flexible and stretchable, such as a variable force elastic material that allows initial stretching for a distance (e.g. 2-3 inches) and then provides increased resistance to stretching. Once connected to the bed  12 , the strap  30  resists or prevents the sheet  20  from sliding downward, particularly when the head  13  of the bed  12  is inclined. The elastic material provides for slight freedom of movement in this situation, and in one embodiment, allows for approximately 2-3 inches of stretching and 2-3 inches of resultant movement of the glide sheet  20 . The tether strap  90  of the base sheet  80  provides a secure anchor for the glide sheet  20 , as the base sheet  80  is securely strapped to the bed  12  using the fasteners  84 . The two fasteners  84  having ends  84 A proximate the tether strap  90  provide secure support for the tether strap  90 , to resist movement or tearing of the base sheet  80  that may occur due to forces exerted by the strap  90  after connection to the glide sheet  20 . Further, the releasable connection between the strap  30  of the glide sheet  20  and the strap  90  of the base sheet  80  permits easier disconnection of the straps  30 ,  90 , such as for circumstances in which it is necessary to disconnect the strap  30  to move or reposition the patient. In other embodiments, the strap  30  may contain multiple pieces, such as an elastic portion and a non-elastic portion, and may have a different configuration or be connected to a different part of the glide sheet  20 . In a further embodiment, the glide sheet  20  may have multiple tether straps  30  connected thereto, which can provide more secure connection to the base sheet  80  and/or greater options for connection. 
     The glide sheet  20  may also include one or more handles  28  to facilitate pulling, lifting, and moving the glide sheet  20 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the glide sheet  20  has handles  28  formed by strips  29  of a strong material that are stitched in periodic fashion to the bottom surface  22  at or around opposite edges  23  of the glide sheet  20 . The non-stitched portions can be separated slightly from the glide sheet  20  to allow a user&#39;s hands to slip underneath, and thereby form the handles  28 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Other types of handles may be utilized in other embodiments. 
     In further embodiments, the glide sheet  20  and the components thereof may have different configurations, such as being made of different materials or having different shapes and relative sizes. For example, in one embodiment, the low-friction material  25  and the high-friction material  24  may be made out of pieces of the same size. In another embodiment, the low-friction material  25  and the high-friction material  24  may be part of a single piece that has a portion that is processed or treated to create a surface with a different coefficient of friction. As an example, a single sheet of material could be treated with a non-stick coating or other low-friction coating or surface treatment on one side, and/or an adhesive or other high-friction coating or surface treatment on the other side. Still other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the invention. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the glide sheet  20  may not utilize a high friction surface, and instead may utilize a releasable connection to secure the pad  40  in place with respect to the glide sheet  20 . For example, the glide sheet  20  and pad  40  may include complementary connections, such as hook-and-loop connectors, buttons, snaps, or other connectors. In another alternate embodiment, the glide sheet  20  may not utilize a strap  30 , and may resist sliding in another way. In a further embodiment, the glide sheet  20  may be used without a pad  40 , with the patient directly in contact with the top surface  21  of the sheet, and the high-friction material  24  can still resist sliding of the patient on the glide sheet  20 . 
     The body pad  40  is typically made from a different material than the glide sheet  20  and the base sheet  80  and contains an absorbent material, along with possibly other materials as well. The pad  40  provides a resting surface for the patient, and can absorb fluids that may be generated by the patient. The pad  40  may also be a low-lint pad, for less risk of wound contamination, and is typically disposable and replaceable, such as when soiled. The top and bottom surfaces  42 ,  44  may have the same or different coefficients of friction. Additionally, the pad  40  illustrated in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 ,  9 , and  16  is approximately the same size as the glide sheet  20 , but may be a different size in other embodiments. It is understood that the body pad  40  may not be illustrated in all drawing figures for the sake of simplicity and illustration, such as in FIGS.  4  and  10 - 15 , and this should not be interpreted as an indication that the body pad  40  would or should not be present in such illustrated configurations. 
     In one embodiment, the pad  40  may form an effective barrier to fluid passage on one side, in order to prevent the glide sheet  20  and the base sheet  80  from being soiled, and may also be breathable, in order to permit flow of air, heat, and moisture vapor away from the patient and lessen the risk of pressure ulcers (bed sores). The glide sheet  20  and/or the base sheet  80  may also be breathable to perform the same function, as described above. A breathable glide sheet  20  and base sheet  80 , used in conjunction with a breathable pad  40 , can also benefit from use with a LAL bed  12 , to allow air, heat, and moisture vapor to flow away from the patient more effectively, and to enable creation of an optimal microclimate around the patient, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/014,497 and 13/014,500. The pad  40  may have differently configured top and bottom surfaces  42 ,  44 , with the top surface  42  being configured for contact with the patient and the bottom surface  44  being configured for contact with the glide sheet  20 . 
     The system  10  may include one or more wedges  50  that can be positioned under the glide sheet  20  to provide a ramp and support to slide and position the patient slightly on his/her side, as described below.  FIGS. 7-8  illustrate an example embodiment of a wedge  50  that can be used in conjunction with the system  10 . The wedge  50  has a body  56  that can be triangular in shape, having a base wall or base surface  51 , a ramp surface  52  that is positioned at an oblique angle to the base wall  51 , a back wall  53 , and side walls  54 . In this embodiment, the base wall  51  and the ramp surface  52  meet at an oblique angle to form an apex  55 , and the back wall  53  is positioned opposite the apex  55  and approximately perpendicular to the ramp surface  52 . The side walls  54  in this embodiment are triangular in shape and join at approximately perpendicular angles to the base wall  51 , the ramp surface  52 , and the back wall  53 . In this embodiment, the surfaces  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54  of the wedge body  56  are all approximately planar when not subjected to stress, but in other embodiments, one or more of the surfaces  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54  may be curved or rounded. Any of the edges between the surfaces  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54  of the wedge body  56  may likewise be curved or rounded, including the apex  55 . 
     The wedge body  56  in this embodiment is at least somewhat compressible, in order to provide greater patient comfort and ease of use. Any appropriate compressible material may be used for the wedge body  56 , including various polymer foam materials, such as a polyethylene and/or polyether foam. A particular compressible material may be selected for its specific firmness and/or compressibility, and in one embodiment, the wedge body  56  is made of a foam that has relatively uniform compressibility. 
     The wedge  50  is configured to be positioned under the glide sheet  20  and the patient, and between the glide sheet  20  and the base sheet  80 , to position the patient at an angle, as described in greater detail below. In this position, the base wall  51  of the wedge  50  faces downward and engages or confronts the top surface  81  of the base sheet  80 , and the ramp surface  52  faces toward the glide sheet  20  such that the wedge  50  supports at least a portion of the weight of the patient. The angle of the apex  55  between the base wall  51  and the ramp surface  52  influences the angle at which the patient is positioned when the wedge  50  is used. In one embodiment, the angle between the base wall  51  and the ramp surface  52  may be up to 45°, or between 15° and 35° in another embodiment, or about 30° in a further embodiment. Positioning a patient at an angle of approximately 30° is clinically recommended, and thus, a wedge  50  having an angle of approximately 30° may be the most effective for use in positioning most immobile patients. The wedge  50  may be constructed with a different angle as desired in other embodiments. It is understood that the glide sheet  20  and/or the base sheet  80  may be usable without the wedges  50 , or with another type of wedge or other structure that can function as a wedge. For example, the glide sheet  20  and/or the base sheet  80  may be usable with a single wedge  50  having a greater length, or a number of smaller wedges  50 , rather than two wedges  50 , in one embodiment. As another example, two wedges  50  may be connected together by a narrow bridge section or similar structure in another embodiment. It is also understood that the wedge(s)  50  may have utility for positioning a patient independently and apart from the glide sheet  20 , the base sheet  80 , or other components of the system  10 , and may be used in different positions and locations than those described and illustrated herein. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  7 - 8 ,  9 ,  15  and  16 , the wedge  50  has one or more pieces of connecting material  59 , such as a hook-and-loop material, connected to the base wall  51  (e.g. by adhesive) and one or more additional pieces of connecting material  59  connected to the back wall  53 . The base wall  51  in this embodiment has two pieces of connecting material  59  in the form of two strips  59  of complementary releasable connecting material (e.g. hook-and-loop) that are elongated and oriented to extend in a direction of elongation that extends from the apex  55  to the back wall  53 . The back wall  53  has another strip  59  of complementary releasable connecting material. As described below, the pieces of connecting material  59  on the base wall  51  are complementary and configured for connection with the pieces of connecting material  87  on the top surface  81  of the base sheet  80 . For example, where the connecting material  59  on the wedge  50  may be a hook-type structure of a hook-and-loop connecting material, as described above, and the connecting material  87  on the base sheet  80  may be a complementary loop-type structure. Likewise, the connecting material  59  on the back wall  53  of the wedge  50  is complementary and configured for connection with the pieces of connecting material  38  on the bottom surface  22  of the base sheet  20 . Other types and configurations of connecting material  59  can be used in other embodiments, and in some embodiments, either or both of the base wall  51  and the back wall  53  may have no pieces of connecting material  59 . 
     The wedge  50  in this embodiment also has a low-friction or sliding material  58  positioned on the ramp surface  52 . The low-friction material  58  may be any material described above with respect to the sheet  20 , and in one embodiment, the low-friction material  58  of the wedge  50  may be the same as the low-friction material  25  of the glide sheet  20 . The material  58  is connected to the wedge body  56  using an adhesive in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , and other connection techniques can be used in other embodiments. In this embodiment, the wedge  50  may also include a high-friction material  57  on the base wall  51  to resist sliding of the wedge  50  along the supporting surface  16  of the bed  12  once in position under the patient. The low-friction material  58  eases insertion of the wedge under the glide sheet  20  and the patient, and over the base sheet  80 , and eases movement of the patient up the ramp surface  52  as described below. As shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , the low-friction material  58  is wrapped partially around the apex  55  in this embodiment, in order to ease insertion of the wedge  50  and resist separation or delamination of the material  58  from the wedge body  56  upon inserting the wedge  50 . In another embodiment, the wedge(s)  50  may not contain the low-friction material  58  and may or may not include the high-friction material  57 . 
     All or some of the components of the system  10  can be provided in a kit, which may be in a pre-packaged arrangement. For example, the glide sheet  20  and the pad  40  may be provided in a pre-folded arrangement or assembly, such that the pre-folded glide sheet  20  and pad  40  can then be unfolded together on the bed  12 . The base sheet  80  may also be folded together or separately with the glide sheet  20  and the pad  40 . Additionally, the base sheet  80 , the glide sheet  20 , the pad  40 , and the wedges  50  may be packaged together by wrapping with a packaging material to form a package. It is understood that certain components may be separately wrapped even within a single package, such as the wedges. Various wrapping configurations that may be used in connection with the system  10 , as well as methods for unfolding or otherwise unpackaging the packaged system  10 , are illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/014,497 and 13/014,500. Further, the base sheet  80  may be configured so that the flaps  88  at least partially cover the strips of connecting material  87  when packaged. For example, the flaps  88  may be temporarily and/or weakly bound to the connecting material  87 , such as by thin, easily frangible threads or small dots of releasable adhesive. This permits the base sheet  80  to be more easily configured for use immediately after unwrapping. Still further, multiple types of kits can be provided, with different sizes of glide sheets  20  and/or pads  40  for use with different bed sizes. For example, in one embodiment, a narrower glide sheet  20  may be provided for use with beds  12  that are closer to 40 inches wide, and a wider glide sheet  20  may be provided for use with beds  12  that are closer to 50 inches wide. 
     Exemplary embodiments of methods for utilizing the system  10  in connection with a patient  70  are illustrated in  FIGS. 9-16 . In one embodiment, the base sheet  80  can be placed on the bed  12  before the patient is placed on the bed  12 . The base sheet  80  is positioned with the bottom side  82  engaging and/or confronting the supporting surface  16  of the bed  12 , with the tether strap  90  at the head  13  of the bed  12 . The positioning marker  86 B may assist with placing the base sheet  80  on the bed  12 , to indicate approximately where the base sheet  80  should be aligned with the head  13  of the bed  12 . Additionally, the base sheet  80  should be positioned so that the strips of connecting material  87  are approximately centered across the width of the bed  12 . The fasteners  84  can then be used to connect the base sheet  80  securely to the bed  12 , which may include wrapping some of the fasteners  84  around portions of the frame  14  and/or mattress  18 , and which may also include fastening complementary buckles  85  together. 
     After the base sheet  80  is in position, the glide sheet  20  (and optionally the pad  40  as well) can be placed over the base sheet  80 , such that the bottom surface  22  of the glide sheet  20  engages or confronts the top surface  81  of the base sheet  80 . The glide sheet  20  and the pad  40  can be inserted on top of the base sheet  80  before placing the patient  70  on the bed  12 . Alternately, the glide sheet  20  and the pad  40  may be inserted underneath the patient  70  after placing the patient  70  on the bed  12 , using a method similar to those described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/014,497 and 13/014,500. For example, the patient  70  can be rolled to one side to permit one half of the glide sheet  20  and/or the pad  40  to be unfolded, and then the patient  70  can be rolled to the other side to permit the other half of the glide sheet  20  and/or the pad  40  to be unfolded, whereupon the patient  70  can be rolled back to his/her back. The positioning markers  86 A indicate where the top peripheral edge  23  of the glide sheet  20  should be aligned when the glide sheet  20  is placed on top of the base sheet  80 , as described below. The tether straps  30 ,  90  of the glide sheet  20  and the base sheet  80  can be connected together after the glide sheet  20  is placed on top of the base sheet  80 . This connection helps to resist unwanted slipping of the glide sheet  20  on the base sheet  80 , particularly downward slipping caused by raising the head  13  of the bed  12 . The elasticity of the strap  30  of the glide sheet  20  permits some degree of movement freedom, in this embodiment. If the head  13  of the bed  12  is desired to be raised, then the straps  30 ,  90  can be connected after raising the head  13  of the bed  12 , to allow for proper positioning of the patient before connecting the straps  30 ,  90 . In another embodiment, the straps  30 ,  90  can be connected before raising the head  13  of the bed  12 . The patient  70  may be moved slightly to ensure proper positioning before connecting the straps  30 ,  90 , such as moving the patient  70  upward or toward the head of the bed  12 , which can be accomplished by sliding the sheet  20  using the handles  28 . The method illustrated in  FIGS. 9-16  typically requires two or more caregivers for performance, but is less physically stressful and time consuming for the caregivers than existing methods. 
     The pad  40  can also be removed and replaced from underneath the patient using methods similar to those described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/014,497 and 13/014,500. For example, the patient can be rolled to one side to permit one half of the pad  40  to be folded up, and then the patient can be rolled to the other side to permit the other half of the pad  40  to be folded up, whereupon the pad  40  can be removed and replaced with a different pad  40 . The new pad  40  can be partially unfolded while the patient is still rolled to the second side, and then the patient can be rolled back to the first side to permit the other half of the new pad  40  to be unfolded. It is understood that other methods for placing the base sheet  80 , the glide sheet  20 , and/or the pad  40  on the bed  12  can be used in other embodiments. 
       FIGS. 9-16  illustrate an example embodiment of a method for placing the patient in an angled resting position by placing two wedges  50  under the patient  70 . The method is used with a patient  70  lying on a bed  12  as described above, having a bed sheet (not shown) on the supporting surface  16  and the base sheet  80  on top of the bed sheet, with the glide sheet  20  and the pad  40  of the system  10  lying on top of the base sheet  80  and the patient  70  lying on the pad  40 . In this embodiment, the wedges  50  are positioned under the glide sheet  20 , so that the glide sheet  20  is between the ramp surfaces  52  of the wedges  50  and the patient  70 , and the base walls  51  of the wedges  50  are in contact with the base sheet  80 . In another embodiment, the wedges  50  may be positioned directly under the base sheet  80  and over the bed sheet  15 , or underneath the bed sheet  15 . As shown in  FIGS. 9-13 , the edge  23  of the glide sheet  20  is lifted, and the wedges  50  are inserted from the side of the bed  12  and from the left/right peripheral edge  83  of the base sheet  80 , between the glide sheet  20  and the base sheet  80 , and toward the flap  88  and toward the patient  70 . At this point, a portion of the wedge  50 , such as the apex  55 , may engage the flap  88  and force the flap  88  to be flipped over to cover the connecting material  87 , if the flap  88  is not already covering the connecting material  87 . As described above, in one embodiment, the flap  88  completely covers the connecting material  87 . The wedge  50  can be moved farther toward the patient  70  so that at least the apex  55  of the wedge  50  may be pushed toward, next to, or at least partially under the patient  70 . The low friction material  58  of the wedge  50  can facilitate such insertion. A second wedge  50  can also be inserted from the same side of the bed  12  and the same peripheral edge  83  of the base sheet  80  in a similar manner. In one embodiment, the wedges  50  should be aligned so that the wedges are spaced apart with one wedge  50  positioned at the upper body of the patient  70  and the other wedge  50  positioned at the lower body of the patient  70 , with the patient&#39;s sacral area positioned in the space between the wedges  50 . It has been shown that positioning the wedges  50  in this arrangement can result in lower pressure in the sacral area, which can reduce the occurrence of pressure ulcers in the patient  70 . In one embodiment, the wedges  50  are positioned approximately 10 cm apart. 
     Once the wedges  50  have been inserted, the user (not shown), such as a caregiver, can pull the patient  70  toward the wedge  70  and toward the user, such as by gripping the handles  28  on the glide sheet  20 , as similarly described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/014,497 and 13/014,500. The arrows in  FIG. 14  illustrate this movement. This moves the proximate edge  23  of the glide sheet  20  toward the back walls  53  of the wedges  50 , toward the adjacent peripheral edge  83  of the base sheet  80 , and toward the user, and slides the patient  70  and at least a portion of the glide sheet  20  up the ramp surface  52 , such that the ramp surface  52  partially supports the patient  70  to cause the patient  70  to lie in an angled position. During this pulling motion, the low friction materials  25 ,  58  on the glide sheet  20  and the wedges  50 , as well as the low friction material of the base sheet  80 , provide ease of motion, and the high friction surface  24  of the glide sheet  20  resists movement of the pad  40  and/or the patient  70  with respect to the sheet  20 . Additionally, the elastic portion  32  of the strap  30  permits some freedom of movement of the glide sheet  20 . 
     When the glide sheet  20  is pulled toward the user, the wedges  50  may be forced backward, toward the adjacent peripheral edge  83  of the base sheet  80 . Due to this motion, the flap  88  may be forced backward to expose at least a portion  91  of the connecting material  87 . It is understood that the exposed portion  91  may constitute all or substantially all of the connecting material  87  in some circumstances, and additionally, in a situation where the flap  88  does not initially cover the connecting material  87  completely, that the exposed portion  91  may be a portion that was not previously exposed. As described above, the engagement between the reinforcing material  89  of the flap  88  and the base wall  51  and/or the connecting material  59  of the wedge  50  can assist in moving the flap  88  in this manner. The connecting material  59  on the base wall  51  of the wedge  50  then engages the exposed portion  91  of the connecting material  87  on the base sheet  80  to resist further movement of the wedge  50  toward the adjacent peripheral edge  83  of the base sheet  80 . This resistance to further movement  50  can assist in keeping the wedge(s)  50  in position and in stabilizing the patient  70 , and may be further supported by the high friction material  57  that may be connected to the base wall  51  of the wedge  50 . Advantageously, the placement of the wedges  50  and the movement of the patient  70  onto the wedges  50  may be done without rolling the patient  70  onto his/her side in some embodiments. This can provide particular advantage with large patients, who may be more difficult to move and roll. It is understood that the glide sheet  20  may be pulled slightly away from the edge of the bed  12  prior to insertion of the wedges  50 , in order to provide room for insertion, such as by pulling on the handles  28  on the opposite side of the glide sheet  20 . In another embodiment, the patient  70  may be rolled to his/her side for at least some of this positioning, such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/014,497 and 13/014,500. Additionally, part of the glide sheet  20  can be wrapped or draped over the top of the wedge  50  so that the connecting material  38  on the bottom surface  22  of the glide sheet  20  is connected to the connecting material  59  on the back wall  53  of the wedge  50 . This can assist in securing the glide sheet  20  against slipping downward, keeping the wedges  50  securely positioned underneath the patient  70 . 
     When the patient  70  is to be returned to lying on his/her back, the wedge(s)  50  can be removed from under the patient  70 , which may include pulling the wedge(s)  50  so that the connecting materials  59  of the wedge  50  become disconnected from the connecting material  38  of the glide sheet  20  and the connecting material  87  of the base sheet  80 . The sheet  20  may be pulled in the opposite direction in order to facilitate removal of the wedges  50  and/or position the patient  70  closer to the center of the bed  12 . The patient can be turned in the opposite direction by inserting the wedges  50  under the opposite side of the glide sheet  20 , from the opposite peripheral edge  83  of the base sheet  80 , and pulling the glide sheet  20  in the opposite direction to move the patient  70  up the ramp surfaces  52  of the wedges  50 , in the same manner described above. 
     As described above, in some embodiments, the wedges  50  may have an angle of up to approximately 45°, or from approximately 15-35°, or approximately 30°. Thus, when these embodiments of wedges  50  are used in connection with the method as shown in  FIGS. 9-16 , the patient  70  need not be rotated or angled more than 45°, 35°, or 30°, depending on the wedge  50  configuration. The degree of rotation can be determined by the rotation or angle from the horizontal (supine) position of a line extending through the shoulders of the patient  70 . Existing methods of turning and positioning patients to relieve sacral pressure often require rolling a patient to 90° or more to insert pillows or other supporting devices underneath. Rolling patients to these great angles can cause stress and destabilize some patients, particularly in patients with critical illnesses or injuries, and some critical patients cannot be rolled to such great angles, making turning of the patient difficult. Additionally, large patients can be even more difficult to turn, causing additional strain and risk of injury for caregivers. Accordingly, the system  10  and method described above can have a positive effect on the health and comfort of both patients and caregivers. Further, the angled nature of the wedges  50  can allow for more accurate positioning of the patient  70  to a given resting angle, as compared to existing, imprecise techniques such as using pillows for support. For example, the recommended resting angle of 30° can be more successfully achieved with a wedge  50  that has an angle of approximately 30°. The engagement of the connecting materials  59  of the wedge  50  with the connecting materials  87 ,  38  of the base sheet  80  and the glide sheet  20  resists sliding of the wedge  50  and the glide sheet  20 , and aids in maintaining the same turning angle. Pillows, as currently used, provide inconsistent support and can slip out from underneath a patient more easily. 
     In various other embodiments, certain components and features of the system  10  can be added, duplicated, and/or changed to a different size or location, including transposing a feature to be located on a different component. For example, the connecting materials  38 ,  59 ,  87  may be illustrated and described as being hook-type or loop-type connecting materials  38 ,  59 ,  87 , but any pair of complementary hook or loop-type materials can be transposed. In one embodiment, the wedge  50  may have one or more pieces of loop-type connecting material  59  thereon, and the base sheet  80  and/or the glide sheet  20  may have hook-type connecting materials  38 ,  87 . As another example, the flaps  88  may be relocated from the top surface  81  of the base sheet  80  to the base wall  51  of the wedge  50  in one embodiment. In this configuration, the flaps  88  may still be able to fulfill the function of at least partially separating the connecting materials  59 ,  87  of the wedge  50  and the base sheet  80 . As a further example, the configurations of the tether straps  30 ,  90  of the glide sheet  20  and the base sheet  80  may be transposed. Still other examples exist and are recognizable to those skilled in the art. 
     The use of the system  10  and methods described above can result in a significantly decreased number of pressure ulcers in patients. The system  10  reduces pressure ulcers in a variety of manners, including reducing pressure on sensitive areas, reducing shearing and friction on the patient&#39;s skin, and managing heat and moisture at the patient&#39;s skin. The system  10  can reduce pressure on the patient&#39;s skin by facilitating frequent turning of the patient and providing consistent support for accurate resting angles for the patient upon turning. The system  10  can reduce friction and shearing on the patient&#39;s skin by resisting sliding of the patient along the bed  12 , including resisting sliding of the patient downward after the head  13  of the bed  12  is inclined, as well as by permitting the patient to be moved by sliding the sheet  20  against the bed  12  instead of sliding the patient. The system  10  can provide effective heat and moisture management for the patient by the use of the absorbent body pad. The breathable properties of the sheet  20  and pad  40 , are particularly beneficial when used in conjunction with an LAL bed system. When used properly, pressure ulcers can be further reduced or eliminated. 
     The use of the system  10  and methods described above can also have beneficial effects for nurses or other caregivers who turn and position patients. Such caregivers frequently report injuries to the hands, wrists, shoulders, back, and other areas that are incurred due to the weight of patients they are moving. This problem can be particularly pervasive in the case of large patients. Use of the system  10 , including the glide sheet  20 , the base sheet  80 , and the wedges  50 , can reduce the strain on caregivers when turning and positioning patients. For example, existing methods for turning and positioning a patient  70 , such as methods including the use of a folded-up bed sheet for moving the patient  70 , typically utilize lifting and rolling to move the patient  70 , rather than sliding. Protocols for these existing techniques encourage lifting to move the patient and actively discourage sliding the patient, as sliding the patient  70  using existing systems and apparatuses can cause friction and shearing on the patient&#39;s skin. The ease of motion and reduction in shearing and friction forces on the patient  70  provided by the system  10  allows sliding of the patient  70 , which greatly reduces stress and fatigue on caregivers. In one embodiment, the system  10  can be used with patients up to 400 lbs. and also patients that exceed 400 lbs. in weight. 
     As another example, the act of pulling and sliding the sheet  20  and patient  70  toward the caregiver to turn the patient  70  to an angled position creates an ergonomically favorable position for movement, which does not put excessive stress on the caregiver. In particular, the caregiver does not need to lift the patient  70  at all, and may turn the patient  70  simply by pulling on the handles  28  to allow the mechanical advantage of the ramp surface  52  to turn the patient  70 . Additionally, it allows the patient  70  to be turned between the angled and non-angled positions (e.g.)30°-0°-30° by only a single caregiver. Prior methods often require two or more caregivers. Caregivers may also comply more closely with Q2 turning protocols when using the glide sheet  20 , the base sheet  80 , and wedges  50  as described above and shown in  FIGS. 9-16 . 
     As further examples, the low friction material  25  on the bottom surface  22  of the glide sheet  20 , alone or in combination with the low friction material of the base sheet  80 , facilitates all movement of the patient  70  on the bed  12 . Additionally, the high friction material  24  on the sheet  20  reduces movement of the patient  70  and the use of the tether straps  30 ,  90  reduces or eliminates sliding of the patient  70  when the bed is inclined, thereby reducing the necessity for the caregiver to reposition the patient  70 . Further, the engagement of the connecting materials  59  of the wedge  50  with the connecting material  38  of the glide sheet  20  and the connecting material  87  of the base sheet  80  help keep the wedges  50  and the patient  70  in position once the patient  70  has been turned. Still other benefits and advantages over existing technology are provided by the system  10  and methods described herein, and those skilled in the art will recognize such benefits and advantages. 
     Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. The terms “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., as used herein, are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Further, “providing” an article or apparatus, as used herein, refers broadly to making the article available or accessible for future actions to be performed on the article, and does not connote that the party providing the article has manufactured, produced, or supplied the article or that the party providing the article has ownership or control of the article. Accordingly, while specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.