Some injuries can result from surgeries that make patients stay seated for a long time often cause pressure injuries known as pressure ulcers. These injuries happen when continuous pressure is applied on the skin and tissues decreasing blood flow and causing harm. Luckily, in the area of solution, a very important invention known as Patient Positioning Gel Pads reduces the vulnerability of post-surgical patients to such injuries immensely.
The Role of Patient Positioning Gel Pads
Patient positioning gel pads are customized medical products that create a protective surface layer that distributes weight appropriately across a patient’s limb or body. They are constructed using the best materials such as silicone gel which provides the item with both flexibility and durability. These pads are a number of positions relating to surgical positions such as; prone, supine, lateral, and lithotomy positions to enhance the safety and comfort of the patient during the surgery.
Through offloading principal pressure, the gel pads help in sparing areas with constitutive stress including shoulders, hips, heels, and head. Especially in procedures that may take several hours, patients can be at risk for complications due to ischemia to particular tissues or organs, in case they are unable to move around regularly.
Minimizing Pressure Injuries with Specialized Gel Pads
-
Prone Head Rest for Prone Position Surgeries
In surgeries which require a prone position, for instance, spinal or vascular surgery, head and face areas are the most vulnerable to pressure ulcers. A prone head rest is a soft gel foam cushion exclusive for maintaining the correct contour of the patient’s head with respect to the spine when in a prone position.
-
This helps to ease the pressure that mostly falls on the face and chin.
-
Ensures that weight is evenly spread all over.
-
Stops formation of any ulcers or facial disfigurement.
The prone head rest is also useful in avoiding pressure and hence no nerve is compressed and the facial tissues are well protected during long operations.
-
Lithotomy Position Gel Pads with Lower Body Support
Lithotomy position that is used in gynecological, urological and colorectal surgery poses the lower body to pressure injuries. Lithotomy position gel pads are designed specifically for areas such as sacral, thighs and calf since they are vulnerable to pressure ulcers when placed on that position.
-
These offer optimal support and comfort to the legs and feet and the gear is not heavy at all.
-
Reduce gradients of velocity and shear stress either by reducing the velocity gradient or by increasing the thickness of the ‘viscous’ near-wall layer.
-
Keep good posture in order not to stress the spine and shoulder joints.
These gel pads also help Lithotomy procedure patients to face no uncomfortable feelings or pressure injuries after effects.
Additional Benefits of Gel Pads
Beyond preventing pressure ulcers, patient positioning gel pads improve surgical outcomes by:
-
The reduction of the risk associated with nerve damage.
-
Staying upright during operations in order to get better positional control.
-
Enhancing circulation, which helps in shorter improvised recovery rate after surgeries.
The products are hypoallergenic and non-toxic and can be used on all patients’ categories, including children and geriatrics.
Conclusion
Patient Positioning Gel Pads are the useful preventative tool with reference to pressure injuries, which became a significant threat more recently particularly during surgery. Be it prone head rest for spinal operations or lithotomy position gel pads for gynecological surgeries, these supporting medical devices are safe for patients, help them have a comfortable surgery and give the best result. While protecting patients from common risks associated with surgery, use of high quality gel pads also improves the general well being of patients in the operating theatre.
Understanding patient needs with these novel gadgets is a plus for a healthcare provider achieving successful outcomes in surgery, and minimizing on preventable harm to the patient.
https://www.lenvitz.com/supine-lithotomy-position/
https://www.lenvitz.com/comman-gel-pads/
https://www.lenvitz.com/prone-head-rest-gel/