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P A T I E N T
P O S I T I O N I N G
(Also consider applying the dressing to the heels to protect them from
the same injury risks.) Specially designed pillows with hollow centers
support the patient while limiting pressure on the ears and top of the
head.
Viscoelastic foam mattresses decrease interface pressure on patients
placed in all positions. Ensure the mattresses on your surgical tables
are designed to support the heaviest patients you host. Minimize the
layers of fabric between the patient and the mattress; multiple layers
increase the pressure gradient and decrease the mattress's pressurereduction benefits. If you place a sheet over the table's surface, keep
the fabric wrinkle-free to limit skin injury risks, especially to elderly or
underweight individuals.
Apply under-body warming blankets only when absolutely necessary
because they may cause moisture to form on the skin, which accelerates tissue damage. When warming blankets must be used, place a gel
pad under the sacral area and place an absorbent sheet between the
warming blanket and the patient to absorb moisture from the skin.
Adhesives can damage skin when they're applied and removed.
Silicone dressing applied to adhesive pads sticks to, but doesn't pull
at, the skin, so your staff can remove pads periodically to check the
skin's integrity without worrying about damage. OSM
Ms. Overman (soverman@ochsner.org) is the clinical coordinator of abdominal transplant and peripheral vascular surgeries at Ochsner Health System
in New Orleans, La.
J U N E 2013 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
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