Anaelí Brandelli Peruzzo, Sandra Simon, Silvana Prazeres Brazil

1. PREVENTION OF PRESSURE ULCERS
(PU) IN CARDIAC SURGERY PATIENTS
Anaelí Brandelli Peruzzo
RN, Manager of ulcer pressure prevention group of Hospital Nossa senhora da Conceição – Brazil
Sandra Simon
RN, Member of ulcer pressure prevention group of Hospital Nossa senhora da Conceição - Brazil
Silvana Prazeres
RN, ET, ET NEP Coordenation Unisinos - Brazil

2. INTRODUCTION
The unsettling concern of the care team with the
formation of pressure ulcers (PU) in patients admitted
to the cardiac surgery unit, especially in the
postoperative period, generated several discussions on
methods for prevention and treatment. With the
intention of assisting on improving the process, the risk
management committee members, working in patient
safety, have proposed to perform a brief situational
diagnosis with the nurse in charge of the sector.

3. PREVENTION
Preventing pressure ulcers is indispensable for
patient care. This care needs to include Identifying
individuals at risk for developing pressure ulcers,
preserving skin integrity, relieving pressure,
correcting any deficiencies, and educating the
patient and his family about the topic.
Baranoski, Ayello, 2008

4. OBJECTIVE
This study aims to preserve the skin integrity using
general care and introducing a new technology, with
soft silicone, to preserve the integrity of the skin in
cardiac surgery patients. The patients use the new
technology in pre, trans and post operatory.

5. METHODOLOGY
Cross-sectional, exploratory, observational survey
by worksheet designed to investigate the
occurrence of PU on the return of patients from
the cardiac surgery unit, in the period of June-
August 2012. The research led to an electronic
medical record.

6. RESULTS
26 patients were monitored for two months. 9 of these had a
higher risk of developing PU. It was noted that on the 1st
post-operatory it was impossible to move 6 out of the 9
patients because of oxygenation instability. The use of
sacred region protection adherent dressings with soft
silicone foam was initiated. They were placed in the pre-
operatory period, before the patients were directed to the
operating room. In the period of use of these dressings, the
patients did not develop PU and expressed comfort in using
the product.

7. CONCLUSIONS
It was observed that in the First post-operatory, 70% of
the 9 high-risk patients presented impossibility of
passive motion and 100% of these had hemoglobin
decrease, showing that extrinsic and intrinsic factors
predispose to PU occurrences.

8. Prevention Measures:
o Increase the usage of pyramid mattresses;
o Use of adherent dressings with silicone foam
(level of evidence B) placed in the sacral region
pre-operatory.
o Patients did not develop UP and expressed
comfort using the product.
CONCLUSIONS

9. The patients not developed PU, and they said that
the technology was confortable
CONCLUSIONS

10. It’s necessary to increase the care involving
prevention measures. We are trying. This is only
the beginning.
silprazeres@hotmail.com