Pilot Testing the Augmentech Body Position Sensor on the Morbidly Obese Patient

The Augmentech Body Position Sensor (ABPS), a device for monitoring patient repositioning, was tested for use in morbidly obese patients. Specific aims were to: determine whether there was correspondence between data on patient turning and repositioning from the ABPS and data gathered through human observation; determine whether the ABPS is an acceptable instrument for measuring body movements in morbidly obese patients in terms of ease of use, comfort and ability to stay in place. A descriptive study was conducted. Data from the ABPS recording patients' body positions were compared with data from videotapes taken of the same patients during the same time period. The sleep center of a tertiary care facility in the southeastern United States was used. Ten participants with BMI ≥ 30 were selected from patients referred to the sleep center for polysomnography. Positioning the device on the patient's thigh, data were collected from midnight until discharge. Videotapes taken of the same patient during the same time period were examined for changes in body position over time. There was a strong correspondence between the videotaped data and the ABPS data. The device was comfortable and not irritating to the patient. The APBS can be a useful measure for determining changes in body position but further study should be undertaken to test other sites for placement.