Safe Patient Handling and Pressure Injury Prevention for Patients With Delayed Sternal Closure
Jason Stokes1, Jessica Seabrooks2, Yeu-Li Yeung3
1Jason Stokes is an assistant nurse manager in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU), Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina.
Critical Care Nurse
|July 31, 2023
Summary
A new protocol for safely moving patients with delayed sternal closure reduced patient pressure injuries and prevented staff injuries. This innovative approach ensures thorough skin assessment and care for high-risk cardiac surgery patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Patient Safety
- Wound Care
Background:
- Delayed sternal closure post-cardiac surgery increases pressure injury risk due to limited mobility and assessment.
- Safe handling of these patients poses challenges, risking harm to both patients and staff.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and implement a safe patient mobility protocol for individuals with delayed sternal closure.
- To mitigate risks of pressure injury development and staff injury in this vulnerable patient group.
Main Methods:
- An interprofessional team created a protocol involving patient levitation for comprehensive skin assessment and care.
- A multimodal educational strategy disseminated the protocol to staff.
- Data collected included surgery type, levitation outcomes, assessment completion, interventions, and staff injuries.
Main Results:
- 84 levitations were performed on 50 patients with no reported staff injuries.
- Comprehensive skin assessments and care were achieved in 98% of patients.
- Five patients developed pressure injuries, receiving timely interventions.
Conclusions:
- A standardized mobility protocol using available equipment successfully reduced patient and staff injury risks.
- The protocol facilitated essential skin assessment and care, lowering pressure injury incidence.
- This innovative approach enhanced patient care and improved staff safety.
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