title: Pressure Ulcers: Factors Contributing to Their Development in the OR.
abstract: The prevention of health care-associated pressure ulcers (HAPUs) is an important quality measure because HAPUs are considered a never event. The literature suggests that the prevalence rate of pressure ulcers is 8.5% or higher among patients who undergo surgical procedures that last longer than three hours. We performed a retrospective chart review to determine what factors contribute to the development of pressure ulcers in patients who undergo surgical procedures. The sample population included patients who acquired a pressure ulcer that was not present at admission and developed during their postoperative hospital stay. The project revealed consistent risk factors that may contribute to the development of pressure ulcers in patients who have undergone surgical procedures. These findings can drive the implementation of preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of HAPUs associated with surgical procedures.
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Engels
authors.forename: Melody
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McNichol
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fencl
authors.forename: Sat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Haseeb
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kazi
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009873:Operating Rooms; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: HAPU; never event; pressure ulcer; risk factors