1.1
There is not enough evidence to determine whether price variations between different slide sheets are justified.
There is not enough evidence to determine whether price variations between different slide sheets are justified.
Choose the most appropriate slide sheet, accounting for:
whether the slide sheet will be used in a hospital or in the community
how long the slide sheet will be used for and its durability and quality
whether an effective laundry system is in place
the physical characteristics and preferences of the person using the slide sheet and the person being moved or repositioned.
If more than one slide sheet is appropriate, use the one that is least expensive.
To show if price variation between different slide sheets can be justified and attributed to any specific feature of the slide sheets, more information on the following key outcomes is needed:
relating to the person being moved or repositioned:
comfort and security
adverse events, such as pressure ulcers or injuries
health-related quality of life
relating to the person using the slide sheet:
risk of musculoskeletal injuries and pain that can be linked to the use of a slide sheet
exertion forces
perceived risk of injury and burden
number of people and time needed to use the slide sheet
relating to the slide sheet:
durability of the material, including after laundering for washable slide sheets.
Evidence should be generated across different groups of people in different real-world settings and contexts, including:
hospitals and in the community
a variety of moving and repositioning tasks.
Procurement and commissioning considerations
There are many slide sheets available, which vary in features and cost. Around 2.3 million slide sheets are purchased in a year and spending on slide sheets was expected to exceed £6.38 million in 2024.
Many factors can influence which type of slide sheet is most appropriate to use and how effective it might be.
Washable slide sheets may save money, but only if an effective laundry system is in place, particularly in hospitals.
Slide sheets that remain under the person (in situ slide sheets) may save money and have benefits for both the person using the slide sheet and the person being moved or repositioned, when used for longer periods in the community.
The durability and quality of the material of a slide sheet may be more important when the slide sheet is being used for a longer period.
Some features, such as handles or straps, may be useful depending on the physical characteristics of the person using the slide sheet and the person being moved or repositioned.
Standard and plus-size sheets are sufficient to address most clinical needs.
Slide sheets help reduce friction to make it easier to reposition or move someone on or from a bed or another surface. This assessment aims to determine whether the differences in clinical, economic and non-clinical outcomes attributed to different features could justify price variation.
The clinical evidence on the different features of slide sheets is limited and of poor quality. It does not consistently report on the outcomes most important to people who are moved or repositioned and those who perform these tasks.
A user preference assessment shows that the quality of the material a slide sheet is made of may be important. Clinical experts agree this could affect how well a slide sheet works and for how long. This could be important when a slide sheet needs to be used for a longer period.
The results from the economic evaluation are uncertain but suggest that washable slide sheets could save money compared with disposable or single-patient-use slide sheets. But washable slide sheets can get lost or damaged during, or in transit to, laundering, so an effective laundry system needs to be in place. The results also suggest that slide sheets that remain under the person (in situ slide sheets) may lead to cost savings when slide sheets need to be used for longer periods, such as in the community. This is because they are easier to use, which could reduce the number of people or the time needed to use a slide sheet.