1993 Federal Nursing Service Award recipient. Use of air-filled pads to reduce risk of intraoperatively acquired pressure ulcers.
This descriptive study utilized a two-phased retrospective review of medical records to investigate the development of pressure ulcers during cardiothoracic or vascular surgery. Using descriptive and chi-square statistics, the charts of 104 patients having surgery on standard table pads were compared with those of 124 patients having similar surgical procedures while positioned on air pads. Eight (8%) of the patients who had surgery without an air pad developed pressure ulcers, while none (0%) of the patients who were positioned on air pads developed pressure ulcers. Six (75%) of the eight patients who developed pressure ulcers were diabetic.
Craig
B H
BH
R.H. Johnson VA Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401-5799, USA.
D000368:Aged; D000388:Air; D001363:Awards and Prizes; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008888:Military Nursing; D058638:Operating Tables / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D011312:Pressure; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016730:Program Development; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States