title: Operating table. The root cause of many pressure sores?
abstract: The aim of this article is to suggest and justify the hypothesis that theatre tables and trolleys are probably the root cause of a large proportion of pressure sores in surgical areas. Pressure sores are also known as decubitus ulcers or bed sores, and are caused by the death of tissue when the blood supply to the capillary bed and/or deep tissue is occluded. This occlusion stops the tissue from being supplied with nutrients and also prevents waste products from being removed. Ways will be suggested of how the risk of developing these painful, costly -40,000 pounds plus for a serious pressure sore--and very largely preventable sores can be reduced. In order to do this, the article will attempt to cover aspects of the whole problem and not just concentrate on the theatre area.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Waterlow
mesh_terms: D001513:Beds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D009873:Operating Rooms; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D013523:Surgical Equipment / Q000009:adverse effects*