Method for lifting and turning a patient confined to a bed

A method of changing bed linens of an invalid bed and cleaning a patient while the patient is confined to the invalid bed, and comprising the steps of:

• (a) positioning patient support means laterally across the bed from one side to the other between the bed mattress and the patient in direct contact with the patient, said patient support means comprising a first plurality of strap members extending laterally from side-to-side in spaced-apart relation along the length of the patient for supporting the patient's head, trunk and legs;
• (b) lifting the patient support means and the patient thereon to a suspended position in spaced-apart relation to the upper surface of the bed and holding the patient in the suspended position during the following steps (c)-(d);
• (c) removing the soiled bed linen and replacing it with clean bed linen;
• (d) cleaning the patient;
• (e) lowering the cleaned patient onto the freshly made bed;
• (f) providing a second plurality of strap members;
• (g) placing one of the second plurality of strap members in place adjacent one of the first plurality of strap members while the patient is in the suspended position;
• (h) removing the adjacent one of the first plurality of strap members while the patient is in the suspended position;
• and
• (i) repeating steps (g) and (h) until the desired ones of the first plurality of strap members have been replaced with the second plurality of strap members.