Pad underneath the
knees and ensure the
tops of the feet aren't
touching the bed sur-
face. Make sure
females' breasts and
males' genitals are not
compromised.
Position the patient's
head in a headrest
that places no exter-
nal pressure on the
eyes or nose.
• Lithotomy. Move
the patient's legs up,
out and into the stir-
rups slowly and simul-
taneously. Ensure the
heels are adequately
padded and the but-
tocks remains on the
surgical surface. Pad the head, shoulders, arms and lateral aspect of
the legs.
• Beach chair. Pad the shoulder blades, buttocks, heels and balls of
the feet.
• Trendelenburg. Ensure patients' arms remain tucked by their
side. Protect the shoulders, hips, sacrum and heels. Place an under-
body pad to protect the sacrum and prevent the skin shear that can
occur if patients slip down the table's surface.
During each case, document the position the patient is placed in
6 4 • 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
• THIN LAYER Patients are heavier than ever and standard table pads might
not be enough to protect them from pressure injury.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
