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A P R I L 2 0 1 5 | O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
S
tools in the OR can
be dangerously slip-
pery, especially when
surgeons or staff members
are wearing paper gowns.
The surface is slick and I've
seen people slide right off
and onto the floor. Here's a
solution: The gel pads used
for padding patients' extremi-
ties are a great way to eliminate this potential hazard.
Michael McCleery, RN, CNOR, CRNFA
Payson (Ariz.) Regional Medical Center
mike_mccleery@chs.net
S A F E S E A T I N G
The Trick for Not Slipping Off Your Stool
z EXTRA LAYER A well-placed gel pad can keep you off the floor.
• Don't force friction. When a patient is subject to mechanical compres-
sion, repositioning and pulling causes shear friction between their skin
and the SCD sleeve. This harsh rub, combined with the fact that the
skin is usually moist from perspiration, can result in blistering, tearing
or other skin integrity issues and the infection risks that follow. If you
have to move a patient, first turn off the pump and remove the com-
pression sleeves. After they're repositioned, dry and inspect their skin
before reapplying the device.
Lynn Razzano, RN, MSN, ONCC
Physician-Patient Alliance for Health and Safety
Westborough, Mass.
lrazzano@ppahs.org
