Pressure Mapping Comparison of Four OR Surfaces

Area of Science:

• Medical devices
• Surgical safety
• Patient outcomes

Background:

• Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) represent a significant and escalating concern in healthcare, contributing to increased mortality and costs.
• Surgical duration is a critical factor, with risk increasing by 33% for every 30 minutes beyond four hours.
• Factors like prolonged immobility, hypotension, and high interface pressures compromise skin perfusion, leading to ulcer development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare the pressure redistribution capabilities of four distinct operating room (OR) surfaces.
• To identify the optimal OR surface for mitigating pressure ulcer risk during extended surgical procedures.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative measurement and comparison of interface pressures and skin contact areas across four different OR surfaces.
• Assessment of pressure redistribution efficacy, particularly in the sacral region, under simulated prolonged OR conditions.

Main Results:

• All tested surfaces exhibited comparable average interface pressures.
• The air-inflated static seat cushion demonstrated superior pressure redistribution properties in the sacral region compared to other surfaces.
• Optimal pressure redistribution is characterized by the lowest average and peak interface pressures, alongside the largest skin contact area.

Conclusions:

• The air-inflated static seat cushion is recommended for use during prolonged OR procedures due to its enhanced pressure redistribution capabilities.
• Implementing advanced pressure redistribution surfaces can be a key strategy in reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.
• Further research into OR surface technology is warranted to optimize patient safety and reduce healthcare-associated complications.