1 2 2
O U T P AT 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 | J U N E 2 0 1 4
T
he risk of pressure injuries is often overlooked, especially in
outpatient surgery, where patients ambulate so soon after
their procedures. But even temporary surgical positioning
and immobilization can lead to perioperative skin break-
down, nerve injury, or musculoskeletal or vascular damage.
As the skin care champion for my hospital's ORs, I routinely meet with
other nurses and managers to identify quality improvement opportuni-
ties and reduce our hospital-acquired pressure ulcer rates. To ensure the
P A T I E N T S A F E T Y
Protect Patients From
Pressure
Injuries
RISK GROUP
For obese patients,
as with the elderly
and those with cir-
culation-related co-
morbidities, special
attention must be
paid to padding and
support during
positioning.
4 questions to improve surgical patients' skin
care outcomes.
Megan Dooman, RN, BSN, CNOR | Houston, Texas
OSE_1406_part2_Layout 1 6/13/14 11:42 AM Page 122
