Correct positioning of the patient during surgical operations is very vital since it helps in the reduction of risk factors that touch on patient safety such as pressure ulcers, nerve injuries, and patient discomfort. Supine position gel pads are already included in the listing of equipment without which patient safety cannot be guaranteed especially during surgeries done on patients positioned on their back. Extended use of pressure mattresses often leads to complications and discomfort, but these gel pads prevent that by distributing pressure evenly across the body as they align the spine correctly.
This blog looks into the roles of supine position gel pad, also it looks at how the lateral position gel pad together with prone head rest enhance surgical safety.
Advantages of Supine Position Gel Pads
The supine position is probably the most extensively utilized position in surgeries, and it is employed in a number of abdominal, thoracic as well as cardiovascular operations. However, it cannot be maintained for a long time because it may cause pressure ulcers, blood circulation disorders, peripheral nerves compression. These problems are solved by supine position gel pads, which slightly adjust the gel layer thickness to offer the most appropriate firmness for important contact points: the sacral area, heels, shoulders.
Key benefits include:
- Pressure Distribution: Pressure relief gel pads incline the patient with equal pressure all over the body relieving pressure, pressure ulcers and skin breakdown prevalent in long surgeries. These pads are developed from silicone or polymer gel, which slips into an ‘enveloping’ shape around the contours of the patient to ensure that high pressure areas cannot be brought into existence.
- Nerve Protection: Laying down for long durations can put pressure on the nerves at the back or heels region. With gel pads, the inflamed nerves which are sensitive areas get little support, thereby eliminating possibilities of nerve injuries and other problems associated with surgery.
- Enhanced Comfort: Patients under anesthetic agents cannot change their positions and are at risk of developing pressure ulcers or other complications. Supine position gel pads improve comfort making sure the patient’s body mass is evenly distributed and properly positioned during the procedure.
Complementing Supine Pads with Lateral Position Gel Pads
Although supine position gel pads are very important for surgeries in which the patient is positioned face up, lateral position gel pads are just as important for surgeries performed on the side. Lateral position gel pads help to reposition and shield the lateral body area including the hips, shoulders and legs from pressure ulcers.
These gel pads:
Maintain Alignment: For surgeries in which the patient is positioned on their side such as a kidney or lung surgery, the lateral gel pads keep the spine and hips healthy from muscle pull and don’t cause damage to nerves.
Prevent Pressure Sores: Lateral position gel pads have similar attributes to supine pads in that they also spread the weight reducing opportunities for pressure sore development on hips and knees.
Through supine and lateral position gel pads, it becomes easier for the surgical teams to have multi-layer protection while performing the operation regardless of the position of the patient.
Prone Head Rest for Optimal Head Support
Essential for those surgeries that involve positioning the patient prone or face down, a prone head rest serves to safeguard the head, neck and airways. The head rest is meant to place the head in a prone position with the neck returned to the midline. It provides easy access to the patients airway and no pressure on eyes, nose and forehead.
Conclusion
Use of the proper positioning assist such as supine position gel pads lateral position gel pads prone head rest is highly beneficial for the patient and may help reduce risks during surgery. The reasons for providing increased pressure distribution, alignment support and comfort, make these tools become indispensable for enhancing the outcome and minimizing complications in patients after surgeries.
