Patient repositioning system and method

A method of repositioning a human patient supported on a mattress using a lifter and a patient support frame, the lifter comprising a lifter frame, a pair of linear actuators, each linear actuator comprising an elongate fixed member and an elongate extension member, the linear actuator being operable to extend and retract by moving the extension member in opposed linear extension and retraction directions to extended and retracted positions, the linear actuator fixed members being mounted to the lifter frame at laterally spaced apart locations and so that the extension direction of each extension member is oriented upward, and an elongate suspension bar, the linear actuator extension members being connected to the suspension bar at laterally spaced apart extension member connection points on the suspension bar, the patient support frame comprising a base, a pair of elongate lateral support members, a head board, and a sling, the lateral support members having foot ends pivotally connected to the base for pivotal movement in a vertical longitudinal plane and head ends connectable to laterally spaced apart connection points on the head board, the sling comprising a flexible sheet disposed between a pair of lateral sides, a head end, and a foot end, each lateral side of the sling being removably attachable to one of the lateral support members and the head end of the sling being removably attachable to the head board, the method comprising:

• affixing the base of the patient support frame to a foot end of a bed frame so that the lateral support members are oriented horizontally and disposed on a top side of a mattress on the bed frame, the bed frame having a length extending in a longitudinal horizontal direction from a foot end to a head end and a width extending between opposite lateral sides in a transverse horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction;
• positioning the sling between the mattress and a patient supported on the mattress so that the flexible sheet extends longitudinally over a back side of the patient's body from below the patient's buttocks to above the patient's head;
• attaching the lateral sides of the sling to the lateral support members and the head of the sling to the head board;
• connecting each of the lateral support members to a corresponding load connection point on the suspension bar;
• extending at least one of the linear actuators so as to raise the elevation of at least one of the load connection points on the suspension bar, so as to raise the elevation of at least a portion of the corresponding lateral support member and the corresponding lateral side of the sling, so as to increase upward pressure on the patient's body from an area of the flexible sheet, so as to reduce downward pressure from the patient's body to an area of the mattress underlying the area of the flexible sheet.