O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7 O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T 2 3
for the 2.5 million
patients who suffer
pressure injuries each
year can reach a stag-
gering $11 billion,
according to the
Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality.
Serious harm might be
less likely to occur in
the outpatient setting,
but why gamble on the
well-being of your
patients? Implementing the following strategies will
keep their skin intact, from pre-op to PACU.
Before surgery
Proper patient positioning reduces pressure and shearing forces and protects a
patient's muscles, eyes, nerves and bony prominences. It also exposes the oper-
ative field to provide surgeons with the access they need and helps maintain a
functional airway. Those benefits occur in the OR, but begin in pre-op.
Perform a skin assessment on every patient, with a particular focus on those
who present with risk factors for developing pressure injuries: the elderly;
patients with diabetes or vascular disease; individuals with a very high or very
low body mass index; those with scarring from radiation therapy or a previous
surgery; patients who are incontinent (urine can burn and cause skin irritation,
so keep that area clean during surgery); and those who are undergoing extend-
ed surgery.
Document the overall integrity of the patient's skin. Be sure to note any red-
dened areas or blemishes you see, no matter how minor they might seem,
NOT ON YOUR WATCH Eliminate distrac-
tions and focus on perfecting the positions
patients are placed into.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
