A growing number of Japanese hospitals have recently benefited from a special air mattress that helps staff more easily and safely reposition seriously ill COVID-19 patients to improve their breathing.
The nation has seen a sharp rise in hospitals introducing the mattresses, which suspend a patient on a cushion of air atop the bed, reducing by about half the six or seven people usually required to complete the task of turning a person onto their front — widely regarded as a proven method to alleviate respiratory distress.
As they gain in popularity, hospitals expect the mattresses will also help resolve some issues regarding staffing shortages.