Factors influencing the development of pressure injuries in surgical patients

Abstract

Objective: Operating room-acquired pressure injuries are those that develop in anatomical locations associated with the patient’s surgical position and typically manifest within 48-72 hours postoperatively. This study aims to explore the factors associated with the development of pressure injuries in surgical patients. Methods: Data were collected in the operating theatre of a research hospital between September 2023-June 2024. Perioperative patient assessment form, 3S Intraoperative Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Scale (3S IPIRAS) and pressure injury staging and recording form were used for data collection. Descriptive tests, chi-square, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between gender, alcohol use, chronic disease, intraoperative vasopressor use, body mass index (BMI), and type of surgery and mean scale scores (p<.05). It was found that the age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, BMI, presence of chronic diseases, type of surgery, preoperative Braden risk score, and duration of surgery variables explained 43% of mean scale scores (p<.001, F=13.960). Conclusion: The study identified key factors influencing pressure injury development in surgical patients. These results emphasize the critical role of perioperative nurses in implementing tailored, evidence-based prevention strategies to enhance patient safety and reduce complications.