A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 7 9
I
've spent more than 40 years working in health care, and pre-
venting pressure ulcers in the OR has become a priority only
recently. We used to think the patient wasn't in the OR long
enough to acquire a pressure injury, but these days we're much
more aware of how quickly and easily a patient's skin can
become compromised — and how costly and potentially dangerous it
can be when it does. (see "The Heavy Burden of Pressure Ulcers" on
page 59).
Having patients leave your facility with their skin intact requires a
multi-pronged approach. Beginning in July 2015, our medical center
implemented a bundle of initiatives to prevent pressure ulcers for
8 Ways to Prevent
Pressure Ulcers
How to maintain
the integrity of
each patient's skin.
• POSITIONAL PLAY Making sure pre-op nurses know the pressure points associated with a patient's anticipated surgical
position can help to prevent pressure ulcers.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
Diane B. Kimsey,
MSN, MHA, CNOR, CMLSO
East Norriton, Pa.
