Prevention of
pressure sores during anesthesia Pressure sores, also known as bedsores or pressure ulcers, are injuries or necrosis caused by long-term compression of local tissues and blood circulation disorders, resulting in ischemia, hypoxia and nutritional deficiency of skin and subcutaneous tissues. During anesthesia, the risk of pressure ulcers is significantly increased because the patient is in a specific position and often unable to move on his own. Therefore, it is very important to prevent pressure sores during anesthesia. The prevention of pressure sores during anesthesia will be described in detail below.
I. Pressure ulcer risk assessment and preventive measure formulation
Patients should undergo a comprehensive pressure ulcer risk assessment prior to anesthesia. The assessment includes, but is not limited to, the patient’s age, nutritional status, skin condition, body position requirements, operation time, etc. According to the results of the evaluation, individualized preventive measure should be formulated, such as choosing appropriate position mats, turning over regularly, keeping the skin clean and dry, etc.
II. Posture management
Posture management is one of the key measures to prevent pressure ulcers. In the process of anesthesia, appropriate body position should be selected according to the needs of surgery, and the contact area and contact time of pressure points should be reduced as far as possible.
1. Reasonable body position: The body position should be reasonably placed according to the patient’s body shape, operation site, operation time and other factors. For patients with long operation time, we should try to avoid keeping the same posture for a long time, and we can disperse the pressure by adjusting the angle of the operating table or using the position mat.
2. Use position pads: Position pads can disperse pressure and reduce direct contact between skin and hard objects. Commonly used position pads include air pads, gel pads, foam pads, etc. When choosing a position pad, consider its material, thickness, shape and size to ensure that it provides adequate support and comfort.
3. Turn over regularly: For patients with longer operation time, they should turn over regularly to reduce the pressure on the same part. Avoid excessive dragging or rubbing of the skin when turning over to avoid skin damage.
III. Skin protection
Skin protection is one of the important measures to prevent pressure sores. During anesthesia, the patient’s skin should be kept clean and dry, and irritating chemicals should be avoided.
1. Keep the skin clean: The patient’s skin should be cleaned regularly to remove oil, dirt and sweat to reduce the risk of skin infection. Warm water and mild detergents should be used when cleaning, and harsh chemicals should be avoided.
2. Keep the skin dry: Humid environment is easy to breed bacteria and increase the risk of skin infection. Therefore, in the process of anesthesia, patients should keep their skin dry and change wet sheets and clothes in time.
3. Avoid the use of irritating chemicals: In the process of anesthesia, avoid the use of irritating chemicals, such as alcohol, iodine, etc. These items may damage the skin barrier and increase the risk of skin infections.
IV. Nutritional support
Nutritional support is one of the important auxiliary measures to prevent pressure ulcers. Malnutrition reduces the skin’s elasticity and ability to repair, increasing the risk of pressure ulcers. Therefore, attention should be paid to the nutritional status of patients before and during anesthesia, and appropriate nutritional support should be given.
1. Assessment of nutritional status: Before anesthesia, the nutritional status of patients should be assessed comprehensively, including weight, BMI, albumin level and other indicators. For patients with malnutrition, appropriate nutritional support should be given.
2. Provide a high-protein diet: Protein is an important substance for skin repair. During anesthesia, a high-protein diet, such as eggs, milk and lean meat, should be provided to promote the repair and regeneration of the skin.
3. Vitamin and mineral supplements: Vitamins and minerals are also essential for skin health and repair. During anesthesia, patients should be encouraged to eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts.
V. Regular observation and record
During anaesthesia, the patient’s skin condition should be observed regularly and the observations recorded. Once abnormal conditions such as skin swelling and damage are found, measures should be taken immediately to avoid the occurrence of pressure sores.
1. Regular observation: The patient’s skin should be observed at regular intervals, especially the compressed part. Attention should be paid to the color, temperature, humidity and integrity of the skin when observing.
2. Record the observation results: The observation results should be recorded in the medical record for follow-up and processing. The records shall include but not limited to observation time, skin condition, treatment measures, etc.
VI. Training and Education
For healthcare workers, it is very important to master the knowledge and skills of preventing pressure ulcers. Therefore, healthcare workers should be trained and educated regularly to improve their professional quality and operational skills.
1. Training: Regular training activities should be organized, and experts should be invited to explain the knowledge and skills of preventing pressure sores. The training content should include pressure ulcer risk assessment, body position management, skin protection, nutritional support and so on.
2. Strengthen education: The knowledge and skills of preventing pressure sores should be popularized to patients and their families by means of brochures and posters. Education includes, but is not limited to, keeping the skin clean and dry, turning over regularly, and avoiding the use of harsh chemicals.
To sum up, many factors should be considered to prevent pressure ulcers during anesthesia, including pressure ulcer risk assessment and preventive measure formulation, posture management, skin protection, nutritional support, regular observation and record, training and education, etc. Only by implementing these measures comprehensively and meticulously can incidence of pressure sores during anesthesia be effectively reduced and the safety and comfort of patients be guaranteed.
