5 0 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5
O
nce the sedative effects of anesthesia kick in, your patients
are at heightened risk of nerve damage, pressure ulcers,
shear forces, and other skin and deep-tissue injuries. Don't
put your patients in harm's way when the following practi-
cal advice from a few experts we spoke to can prevent
perioperative positioning injuries.
1. Know the risks
Patients are in jeopardy if they've been positioned with more thought given to
clinical access than to ergonomic safety. General anesthesia and other hypoten-
3 Patient Positioning Pointers
The OR table can be a dangerous place for patients — don't let
nerve damage and skin injuries mar your surgical outcomes.
David Bernard | Senior Associate Editor
z ARM SAFE FROM HARM Foam padding can prevent nerve injury,
but make sure to protect bony prominences against pressure ulcers.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
