TOPIC SIGNIFICANT TO WOC NURSES: Prevention of hospital acquired pressure ulcers (HAPU) is an important quality measure and area of concern for WOC Nurses, since The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services consider this a “never event.” PURPOSE: Reviewed literature states pressure ulcer prevalence occurs at a rate of 8.5% or higher among patients who undergo surgical procedures that last longer than three hours.2, 4, 5 The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) guidelines state there are multiple variables which may contribute towards HAPU development during operating room (OR) procedures which may be difficult to eliminate.3 The purpose of this study was to determine what factors may contribute towards the development of pressure ulcers in patients that have been in the OR setting. METHODOLOGY: This research project entailed a retrospective chart review of factors that might have contributed to the development of pressure ulcers which occurred after surgical procedures. The study sample population included patients who obtained a pressure ulcer that was not present upon admission and which was noted during their post-op hospital stay. STATISTICS: Statistical significance was shown for the impact of several systemic risk factors. RESULTS: Key predictors which were common to the development of pressure ulcers in patients that have been in the OR setting included prolonged OR procedures, low Braden scores, and decreased intraoperative temperatures. The average time the study sample spent in the OR was 365 minutes. A preventive process could be implemented by WOC nurses for patients who are determined to be high-risk for breakdown occurrence.1 CONCLUSION: The study revealed risk factors which may contribute to the development of pressure ulcers in patients that have been in the OR setting. The WOC Nurse and OR staff can drive implementation of preventative interventions to reduce the occurrence of HAPUs associated with surgical procedures.
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