Pressure injuries in the operating room: who are at risk?

Operating room (OR)-related pressure injuries (PIs) constitute the majority of all hospital-acquired PIs. The aim of this study is to reveal the prevalence and risk factors of OR-related PIs.

This study used a cohort design. The data were collected at Acıbadem Maslak Hospital in Istanbul between November 2018 and May 2019. The study population consisted of all patients undergoing surgery between these dates (n=612). The haphazard sampling method was used following application of the inclusion criteria. A patient identification form, the 3S intraoperative pressure ulcer risk assesment scale and the Braden Scale were used to collect data.

Within the scope of the study, data were collected from 403 patients, of which 57.1% (n=230) were female and 42.9% (n=173) were male; mean age was 47.90±18.15 years. During surgery, PIs were detected in 8.4% of patients. In total, 42 PIs were detected in patients in the study; 92.8% were stage 1 and 7.2% were stage 2. It was determined that the PIs observed in 11.8% (n=4) of the patients were related to device/instrument use and 23.5% (n=8) were related to the positioning device. Risk factors found to be significant in the development of PIs were sex (male) (p=0.049), large amount of bleeding during surgery (p=0.001), dry (p=0.020) and lighter skin (p=0.012), duration of surgery (p=0.001), type of anaesthesia (p=0.015), and medical devices used (p=0.001).

Early identification of risk factors may reduce OR-related PIs. Guidelines and procedures that focus on preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative evaluation can be developed to reduce and prevent surgery-related PIs and to standardise care.