Abstract
Prevention of Occipital Pressure ulcers in the Pediatric and Neonatal Acute Care Problem: Immobilized acutely ill pediatric patients are at risk for developing pressure ulcers. Open heart surgery patients are at greater risk due to the inability to establish a routine turning schedule due to internal and external jugular catheters. The most common area for neonates to develop pressure ulcers is on the occipital area due to weight distributions of neonates. This University teaching hospital had eight hospital acquired occipital pressure ulcers in 2009. Most evidenced based research in pressure ulcer development in the pediatric population has been based on adult studies. Intervention: A multidisciplinary team approach which consisted of a Plastic Surgeon, Registered Nurses, Physical Therapist, and a Dietician met weekly to develop plans and interventions specific for patient needs. Pressure redistribution surfaces and silicone foam padding were stocked on the pediatric peri-operative carts and in the Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) for immediate use in immobilized patients. A nurse champion for pressure ulcer prevention was selected for the PICU who educated nurses and physicians, promoted the interventions, and monitored the patients for pressure ulcer development along with the quarterly pressure ulcer surveys. Comparison: The previous practice for the prevention of pressure ulcers in the PICU consisted of the use of a gel mattress. These patients were difficult to reposition and thus repositioning was sporadic at best. Outcome: Eighteen months after the intervention there have been no hospital acquired pressure ulcers in the PICU despite the high risk nature of this patient population. Evidenced-based clinical practice guidelines for prevention of pressure ulcers in the pediatric population are needed.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Neonates, Prevention, Pressure Ulcers
Recommended Citation
Kirkland-Kyhn, Holly and Teleten, Oleg, "Prevention of occipital pressure ulcers in neonates" (2012). INRC (Congress). 142.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2012/presentations_2012/142
Conference Name
23rd International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Brisbane, Australia
Conference Year
2012
Rights Holder
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Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Prevention of occipital pressure ulcers in neonates
Brisbane, Australia
Prevention of Occipital Pressure ulcers in the Pediatric and Neonatal Acute Care Problem: Immobilized acutely ill pediatric patients are at risk for developing pressure ulcers. Open heart surgery patients are at greater risk due to the inability to establish a routine turning schedule due to internal and external jugular catheters. The most common area for neonates to develop pressure ulcers is on the occipital area due to weight distributions of neonates. This University teaching hospital had eight hospital acquired occipital pressure ulcers in 2009. Most evidenced based research in pressure ulcer development in the pediatric population has been based on adult studies. Intervention: A multidisciplinary team approach which consisted of a Plastic Surgeon, Registered Nurses, Physical Therapist, and a Dietician met weekly to develop plans and interventions specific for patient needs. Pressure redistribution surfaces and silicone foam padding were stocked on the pediatric peri-operative carts and in the Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) for immediate use in immobilized patients. A nurse champion for pressure ulcer prevention was selected for the PICU who educated nurses and physicians, promoted the interventions, and monitored the patients for pressure ulcer development along with the quarterly pressure ulcer surveys. Comparison: The previous practice for the prevention of pressure ulcers in the PICU consisted of the use of a gel mattress. These patients were difficult to reposition and thus repositioning was sporadic at best. Outcome: Eighteen months after the intervention there have been no hospital acquired pressure ulcers in the PICU despite the high risk nature of this patient population. Evidenced-based clinical practice guidelines for prevention of pressure ulcers in the pediatric population are needed.