An analysis of epidural related pressure sores in a specific patient population

Duncan, F; Haigh, CA; Bailey, SN

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between post-operative epidural analgesia and incidence of heel pressure sores. The study sample consisted of 53 men and women over the age of 20 years who had major abdominal surgery (mean age 69 years). The main outcome measure was the number of patients who developed any degree of heel sore in the post-operative period. Pressure sore risk assessments were completed by the general surgical nurses with grade of risk recorded. Twenty-one percent of patients in the study developed pressure changes on the skin of their heels; 5.7% developed changes of Grade 2 or worse. Only 10 patients (18.9%) were scored as being at high risk of pressure sores post-operatively. Fifteen (28.3%) patients had no pressure sore risk assessment carried out post-operatively. Ward staff failed to recognise that their patients had been placed at high risk by the use of epidural analgesia post-operatively.

Citation

Duncan, F., Haigh, C., & Bailey, S. (2003). An analysis of epidural related pressure sores in a specific patient population. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1366-0071%2803%2900022-6

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2003
• Deposit Date: Aug 2, 2007
• Journal: Acute Pain
• Print ISSN: 13660071
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 11-15
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1366-0071%2803%2900022-6
• Keywords: Epidurals, pressure sores, heel blisters
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1366-0071(03)00022-6