Risk factors associated with pressure ulcers in the pediatric patient following open--heart surgery.
From a retrospective chart audit conducted on 59 infants and children who had survived open-heart surgery, 16.9% were found to have developed ulcers on the occipital region of their scalps during the postoperative period. Four risk factors were identified: age, type of congenital heart defect, length of time intubated, and length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A protocol designed to decrease the amount of pressure and shearing force applied to the occipital region of these patients postoperatively was implemented. A dramatic decline to 4.8% in the incidence of pressure ulcers was noted after implementation of the protocol.
Neidig
J R
JR
Kleiber
C
C
Oppliger
R A
RA
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors