O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 4 3
D
on't look past
pressure
injury risks in
outpatient ORs, where
skin breakdown is
becoming more of a
concern now that
increasing numbers of
heavier patients are
undergoing more com-
plex and longer proce-
dures. The clinical
team at our large med-
ical center has imple-
mented several pre-
vention protocols that
have proven success-
ful in protecting
patients' skin. For the
past 2 years, we
haven't had a single
patient suffer a pres-
sure injury, thanks to
the program's essential features.
• Pre-op evaluations. Before surgery, we perform head-to-toe
assessments of patients, helping us to identify existing pressure
Inside Our Pressure Injury Prevention Program
It's been 2 years and counting since a
patient has suffered skin-related harm during surgery.
• POSITIONED FOR SUCCESS The initial results of Einstein Medical Center's pre-
vention protocols in inpatient ORs convinced leadership to adopt similar practices in
the hospital's surgery center.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
Diane Kimsey, MSN, MHA, RN, CNOR | East Norriton, Pa.
