54 - An Innovative Approach to Pressure Injury Prevention in ENT Flap Patients

Description: Skin integrity complications were on the rise in the high-risk ENT free flap patient population. These patients undergo lengthy surgical procedures, extended recovery in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit and an average of a five to seven day admission. To reduce the number of skin injuries, nursing leadership from the perioperative units, inpatient ENT unit, and wound, ostomy, and continence nurse specialists came together to discuss interventions. It was determined that the patients would benefit from utilization of a waffle cushion and low air loss mattress immediately following surgery. Workflow changes were also revised and updated. They included the use of a large prophylactic sacral foam dressing preoperatively, trial of new intraoperative positioning devices, use of a waffle cushion in the post anesthesia care unit, low air loss mattress utilization, and resident education on positioning/patient preparation in the OR. Inpatient nursing was also reeducated on the importance of skin care and injury prevention techniques.