Outpatient Surgery Magazine

Throw Away The Script - February 2019 - Subscribe to Outpatient Surgery Magazine

Outpatient Surgery Magazine, providing current information on Surgical Services, Surgical Facility Administration, Outpatient Surgery News and Trends, OR Excellence and more.

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selves thoroughly than average patients do. Rolls, folds and other difficult-to- reach places can collect contaminants, such as bac- teria, over time. "You need to pay extra attention to clean obese patients really well before surgery," says Lynn Barker, RN, BSN, CNOR, general surgery specialty coordina- tor at Cone Health in Greensboro, N.C. 5. Equipment and facilities Many facilities must turn away obese patients because their equip- ment simply cannot accommodate their weight or girth. OR tables, gurneys, C-arms, beds, waiting area chairs and other equipment that aren't designed to handle bodies above certain weights and widths could break and injure the patient or staff, as well as cause embar- rassment for the patient. You'll also need special instruments like longer needles and larger blood pressure cuffs. In the OR, AORN recommends that padding and positioning devices maintain a normal capillary interface pressure at or below 32 mm Hg to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers. In addition, Robert B. Dybec, RN, MS, CPSN, CNOR, in a July 2004 paper, "Intraoperative Positioning and Care of the Obese Patient," writes that "appropriate instrumentation, such as larger retractors, long staplers and long instruments, must be available." OR table attachments and safety restraints might be necessary as well. F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 9 5 • DIFFICULT AIRWAYS Anesthesia providers should take particular care with obese patients due to their increased likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea.

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