It is fundamental to note that the positioning of a patient's inoperative field is more important in the operating room while carrying out the surgery as well as being concerned with the well-being of the particular patient. Applying gel pads on supine position to patients is very important in that the patients are supine for many hours or even the whole day. These gel pads give support, help to decrease pressure on identified areas and improve positioning throughout the surgery. Now that we have an understanding of supine position gel pads, let’s discuss why they are vital and perhaps have a look at other positioning techniques such as lateral and lithotomy position gel pads.
Importance of Supine Position Gel Pads
In some surgical procedures that the patient is positioned in a supine position, there are chances that one may develop pressure ulcers, nerve compression, and musculoskeletal pains. The supine position gel pads are developed to solve these issues. Manufactured from flexible medical-grade silicone gel, these pads work to distribute the weight of the patient evenly across the skin surface thus not creating pressure zones. This even distribution also helps to relieve pressure on any one area thus no pressure ulcers can occur and nerves can be saved thus the wellbeing of the patient during the surgery is observed.
In addition to being long lasting, supine position gel pads offer additional support on the back, head, arms and legs, enabling surgeons to have easy access to the area of operation while at the same time maintaining the right position. They are soft and flexible enough that the patient will remain comfortable no matter how long the surgery turns out to be.
Comparison with Lateral and Lithotomy Position Gel Pads
Inserted gel pads for supine position are made specifically for those patients who have to undergo surgery while on their back, while gel pads for lateral position are created for use on individuals who will be operating while lying on their side. Lateral positioning comes in handy in surgeries pertinent to the lungs, kidney, and the hip joint. The lateral position gel pads can help to prevent pressure-related injury such as; pressure ulcers of the skin and nerves of the shoulders, hips and knees, and other related areas of pressure. As with supine pads, they help to distribute pressure and neither allows the patient to slide down nor feel uncomfortable particularly if the procedure is long.
While lithotomy position gel pads are applied when the patient has the legs raised and spread apart more frequently in gynecological or urological surgeries. These pads help to reduce pressure created on the hips and the lower back by supporting the patient's legs constantly. Believing in the importance of having the patient in the right position during these specific surgeries, lithotomy gel pads are vital.
Why Choose Supine Position Gel Pads?
- Pressure Relief: The supine position gel pads assist in relieving pressure on bony areas of the body such as the sacrum, shoulder blades, and heels which reduce pressure ulcers.
- Enhanced Comfort: Due to their soft gel construction they adapt well to the structure of the patient’s body, the patient therefore feels comfortable and this increases the chances of the procedure being a success.
- Improved Stability: The gel pads maintain the patient in the right position minimizing unnecessary movements reducing the risks associated with surgery.
- Versatile Application: Thus supine position gel pads can be used for virtually any surgery and are essential in any operating theater.
Conclusion
Therefore, supine position gel pads can be considered as an essential element of the patient positioning intervention in the operating room. Unlike other gel pads such as lateral and lithotomy position gel pads, they offer support, minimize pressure areas and help keep patients comfortable. To the surgeons and other health care workers, the use of supine position gel pads to patients makes sure that the outcomes of the operations are the best, therefore making patients safer.
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https://www.lenvitz.com/lateral-positioner/
https://www.lenvitz.com/supine-lithotomy-position/
