Nurses might skip the skin assessment because they assume the
process is too time-consuming to worry during busy days, but they
can quickly check skin integrity while they're performing other tasks,
such as starting IVs or putting on compression stockings. Skin assess-
ments shouldn't add significant time to normal pre-op routines.
3. Document and communicate
Ensure staff document the condition of the patient's skin in pre-op,
the OR and PACU, and share the results of their assessments during
each patient hand-off. Even better: Have nurses from the OR and
PACU conduct post-op skin assessments together as patients are
transferred from one area to the next. That creates shared responsibil-
ity and eliminates finger pointing if a pressure injury develops.
4. Pad to protect
Always position
patients using com-
mercially available
products such as vis-
coelastic foam or gel
pads that are intended
for pressure redistrib-
ution — never use IV
bags, rolled towels or
blankets. Protect pres-
sure points during
each of the commonly
used surgical posi-
tions:
• Supine. Heel off-
6 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J u l y 2 0 1 8
