Prevention of pressure ulcers in the surgical patient.

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a serious health care problem, and it is crucial to assess how patients acquire pressure ulcers after admission to a health care facility. In the OR, factors related to positioning, anesthesia, and the duration of surgery, in addition to patient-related factors, all can affect PU development. This article reviews current practices, including AORN recommended practices, regarding pressure ulcer prevention efforts for surgical patients. All surgical patients should be considered at-risk for pressure ulcer development; therefore, perioperative departments should develop and implement strategic plans for pressure ulcer prevention. Copyright (c) AORN, Inc, 2009.