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
