Article -> Article Details

Observing and protecting patient safety when in the operating room or OR as it is often referred to is crucial in procedures being done at a very fast pace. Among the important but neglected elements of this is pressure injuries that patients develop when they are immobile for long. Such injuries can have a variety of different consequences, and recovery time can take longer than help with other injuries, it can also cause other severe illnesses. This is where using an OT table mat in addition to accessories such as supine position gel pads and patient positioning gel pads can come into focus.

Understanding Pressure Injuries in Surgery

Pressure injuries or pressure ulcers or bed sores develop due to the application of sustained pressure on the skin and the underlying tissues, resulting in inadequate blood flow. This can cause tissue injury; the degree of tissue injury may be as mild as dermatitis or as severe as deep tissue inflammation that is severe and painful and needs a great deal of medical intervention. Those who are most vulnerable are the clients who are subjected to long and complicated surgeries, in most cases they spend most of their time seated and hardly move.

The Role of OT Table Mat in Pressure Injury Prevention

An OT table mat is a specifically developed item for use on an operating table to offer support to patients during operations. It plays the active role of acting as the initial barrier in opposition to pressure injuries by putting an even load on the operating table upon the patient. This even distribution of pressure greatly reduces the probable development of pressure ulcers, especially on body regions that are most vulnerable such as the sacrum, heels and elbows.

These mats are fabricated using materials that provide comfort and support and help patients maintain their position throughout the surgery without strain or…tissue injury that is not warranted. They also enhance the design of the operating table, to mean that the surgical team is well-positioned to rearrange the setting of the patient as desired.

Enhancing Comfort with Supine Position Gel Pads

When a patient is in the supine position referring to a position where the patient is laying down flat on the bed, there is a high possibility of causation of pressure ulcers on aspects such as back, shoulder and heel. To this it is widely acceptable to use the supine position gel pads alongside the OT table mat. The main goal of these gel pads is to help with reduction of the pressure experienced by the patient by placing a layer of gel between the patient and the surgical table.

Most gel pads have the flexibility of conforming to the body shape, which enhances the provision of support where pressure is likely to cause harm. Besides reducing pressure injuries, they also improve patients’ comfort which comes in handy in procedures that may take hours where the patient is immobile in the operation theatre.

The Importance of Patient Positioning Gel Pads

Whereas OT table mats and supine position gel pads must have aids, the same is not true for patient positioning gel pads in that these offer additional advantages due to the fact that they are specialized for different positions during surgery. These specialty foam pads are especially developed to enhance positioning, integrity, and discomfort tolerance during alternation between supine, prone, and lateral positions for the user.

Conclusion

Pressure ulcers prevention during an operative procedure is one of the important goals of surgical care. The use of the OT table mat that is security and protection from pressure ultrasound through supine position gel pads and patient positioning gel pads is effective. These products make it possible for patients to be comfortable as well as secure during their surgeries, which accelerate recovery and should improve patients’ surgical results. When implemented, these tools are likely to greatly improve the safety of patients involved in surgery in healthcare facilities.