Turning and repositioning the critically ill patient with hemodynamic instability: a literature review and consensus recommendations.

In the critical care population, heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation are monitored continuously, providing immediate feedback regarding any changes in patient status. Hemodynamic instability is a term commonly used by clinicians to describe labile changes in cardiopulmonary status, although this term is poorly defined in the literature. The clinician's perception of hemodynamic instability may cause a delay or omission in turning, repositioning, and other interventions to advance patient mobility and may contribute to pressure ulcer formation.