Prevention of Pressure Ulcers in Operating Room



Prevention of Pressure Ulcers in Operating Room

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to state the Pressure Ulcer among patients in Operating rooms and prevention strategies or programs in place to deal with it during surgical processes. Pressure ulcer occurs when patient's skin is broken down due to continuous pressure against it or continuous rubbing activity over that portion of skin. It can occur due to excessive use of wheel chair, lengthy stay on bed, inability to move some body parts, diseases affecting blood flow, weak skin, or lack of nutrition (Fonder, M. A., 2008).

Some of its signs include redness on skin, open sore, it usually forms on elbow, hips, heels, ankles, back, shoulders and back of head. Skin forming pressure ulcer may have a tissue injury of skin in form of maroon or purplish skin color (Fonder, M. A., 2008).

It can be prevented by attentive examination done by doctors or care givers of patients from head to toe. A doctor must examine all those potential areas where pressure ulcer may form or turn white. Other preventions may include changing of position after every 2 to 3 hours in order to release pressure, usage of instruments that help in releasing such pressure for instance, pillows, cushions, foam etc. A balanced diet may also help in preventing pressure ulcer, one must drink at least 10 cups of water per day to avoid this disease, all those activities and exercises must be worked out that maintain an adequate motion within the body (Fonder, M. A., 2008).

Discussion

Prevalence of Pressure Ulcer

According to surveys and recent study, the occurrence of pressure ulcer in operating rooms is of 13.4% in 2006 and 2007. However, the overall occurrence of pressure ulcer in hospital setting is estimated to be 30%. Its prevalence may compel patients and hospitals to lengthen the stay of patients in hospitals for 4.6 days more on average. It adds to the clinical pressure in hospitals and financial load as well (Baron, S. et al., 2009).

23% of pressure ulcer are developed at operating room as per research and contribute to 42% of total hospital cost for treating pressure ulcer. 12% of total surgical patients can generate problem of pressure ulcer in operating rooms. The pressure ulcer can be prevented by application of strategies like staffing, decorum, and technological procedures. These strategies should also incorporate a special separate unit that deals with intensive care for patients having pressure ulcer. However usually the development of pressure ulcer is blamed at post operative care unit although there are increased chances of getting it developed in operating rooms (Chicano, S. G. and Drolshagen, C., 2009).

Development of Pressure ulcer in operating rooms

Patients spend too much time in operating theaters are at a higher risk of developing pressure ulcer. The advancement in the field of medicine has complicated the surgical process and has lengthened the surgical and operations time period. As per study, a common and adequately complicated surgery may take more than 4 hours, therefore, ...