Outpatient Surgery Magazine

No Guarantees - March 2017 - 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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wrinkling the adhe- sive material. While the most common pressure ulcer sites are bony promi- nences like the pelvic girdle (two- thirds of all pressure ulcers develop here), posterior heel and ankle bone, apply dressings outside of these routine places, if called for. Sometimes overlooked: The weight of adipose tissue in obese patients can lead to pressure ulcers, so pay attention to skin fold areas under the breasts (for both men and women), in the mid-back and behind the neck. 7. Prevent moisture from being trapped against the skin. Because excessively moist skin leads to pressure ulcer-causing friction, continually pad (don't wipe) a patient's perspiration away before sur- gery. For patients who suffer from incontinence (even a small amount of stress incontinence, which can lead to moisture on the skin), check at least every 2 hours for an incontinent episode and, after each, gently cleanse the skin with water or a pH-balanced cleanser. Moisture-barrier ointments and wicking underpads can also be used to keep moisture from being trapped against the skin. When prepping the skin, be careful not to pour too much, or it may pool around the side of the patient and cause maceration. 8. Invest in a pressure-relieving OR table pad. The standard is 2 inches thick, but experts say 4 inches is a safer bet for preventing M A R C H 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 4 5 • GREATEST RISK The most common pressure ulcer sites are bony prominences, any point on the body where the bone is immediately below the skin surface. Examples: pelvic girdle, posterior heel and ankle bone. Pamela Bevelhymer, RN, BSN

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