Mean elevations of the head of the bed increased significantly
from phase 1 (27.7º) to phase 2 (31.7º) and from phase 1 to
phase 3 (31.1º). Elevations were higher for tube-fed patients than
for patients not given enteral tube feedings. Elevations were higher
for patients with a pulmonary-related diagnosis and lower for
patients with a gastrointestinal diagnosis than for patients with
other diagnoses. Elevations were lower for patients with a body
mass index between 25.0 and 29.9 (overweight) than for patients
with other body mass index values. Nurse characteristics were not
significant predictors of elevation.