Effect of “micromovement” in preventing intraoperative acquired pressure injuries among patients undergoing surgery in supine position

Abstract

To explore the clinical effect of “micromovement” in preventing intraoperative acquired pressure injures (IAPIs) among patients experiencing surgery in supine position. A total of 200 patients accepting elective surgery in supine position from 10 May 2023 to 4 July 2023 at Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital were selected and randomized into two groups (experimental group, n = 100; control group, n = 100). For control group patients, soft silicone foam dressing was applied to the sacrococcygeal region. On the basis of the treatment for control group patients, “micromovement” was implemented among experimental group patients. During this process, the operating table was tilted for 15° leftwards and rightwards alternately every 1 h, and the tilt angle was maintained for 5 min to prevent IAPIs. Finally, comparisons between the two groups were made in terms of the sacrococcygeal IAPI incidence, relative temperature differences (ΔT) on sacrococcygeal skin, and job satisfaction of nurses. Compared with control group patients, patients from the experimental group exhibited lower IAPI incidence (2% vs. 10%), reduced ΔT between the sacrococcygeal skin and surrounding normal skin [0 (−0.1, 0.1) vs. 0.2 (−0.2, 0.4)], and elevated job satisfaction of nurses (80% vs. 66%). All the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). “Micromovement” implemented intraoperatively among patients receiving surgery in supine position is able to lower the IAPI incidence by five times and elevate job satisfaction of nurses.