Predicting and preventing pressure ulcers in surgical patients

ABSTRACT
- PRESSURE ULCERS, regardless of their origin, represent negative outcomes for patients, including pain, additional treatments and surgery, longer hospital stays, disfigurement or scarring, increased morbidity, and increased costs.
- THE OR IS A HIGH-RISK environment for the development of pressure ulcers. Preoperative identification of patients at risk for pressure ulcer development is imperative if cost-effective, evidence-based preventive measures are to be implemented.
- THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS a review of the literature pertaining to pressure ulcer development in surgical patients. Recommendations for future research and implications for practice are provided. AORN J 81 (May 2005) 986-1006.