Effects of the Use of Gel-Ring Innovation to Prevent Pressure Sore during General Anesthesia

Abstract

General anesthethesia (GA) is a technique that makes patients unconscious and paralyzed before surgical operation. One of the complications of GA was pressure sore because of tissure ischemia and dead. Pressure sore indicated the low quality of nursing care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of pressure sore prevention of a gel-ring innovation used to fix the head of patients under genral anesthesia, compared to that of the ordinary rubber–ring. It was conducted Buddachinaraj Hospital, Phitsanulok, during the period from February to March 2016. Thirty surgical cases were enrolled in the study. They were redomly devided into 2 groups, 30 patients each. The study instruments were (1) the gel-ring, (2) the anesthetic record, (3) pressure sore record, and (4) satisfaction assessment form to be filled by the anesthetist team. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statics, Chi-squares and Fisher, s Exact test. It was found that there was no significant difference between two gropes with regard to demographic characteristics, underlying illnesses and surgical times. The occurrence of pressure sore was significantly lower in the gel-ring group (p<0.05). In addition, the anesthetist team expressed high satisfaction on the use of the gel-ring. In conclusion, the gel–ring innovention could effectively prevent pressure sore. It should be promoted and adapted for other patients with different surgical position.