Welcome to another episode of the Legal Nurse Podcast, hosted by Pat Iyer. In today’s episode, Pat brings on Karen Vacca, a highly experienced operating room nurse and perioperative expert witness, to pull back the curtain on what really happens in the OR when it comes to skin integrity and patient safety. From her extensive background assisting in complex surgeries like open-heart and neurosurgery, Karen shares her valuable insights on the critical processes that prevent injury, particularly focusing on pressure injuries, proper patient positioning, and the importance of team collaboration in maintaining skin health during long, intricate procedures.

Together, Pat and Karen delve into the legal and clinical challenges surrounding OR skin injuries—exploring scenarios that can lead to litigation, the documentation legal nurse consultants should look for, and real-world protocols put in place to minimize risk. They discuss the essential roles and responsibilities of each surgical team member, highlight the importance of pre- and post-operative skin assessments, and address high-risk patient populations as well as technological advancements in OR surfaces and mattresses.

But the conversation doesn’t stop at pressure and positioning injuries—in a riveting segment, Karen and Pat also tackle the sobering risk of operating room fires, investigating the fire triangle, prepping solutions, and how production pressures can sometimes jeopardize patient safety. This episode offers in-depth commentary, expert tips, and a behind-the-scenes look into a world that’s as fascinating as it is essential.

What you’ll learn in this episode on Legal Risks and Nurse Responsibilities

Here are 5 questions that this podcast answers:

What are the key responsibilities of the OR (operating room) team in preventing skin integrity issues such as pressure injuries during surgery?

Who is accountable for correct patient positioning and padding in the operating room—and how should this be documented?

What risk factors make certain patients more susceptible to skin breakdown and pressure injuries during surgical procedures?

How do fires occur in the operating room, and what steps can OR staff take to reduce or prevent these dangerous events?

What should legal nurse consultants look for in medical records when investigating cases involving pressure injuries or operating room fires?

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Your Presenters for Operating Room Skin Integrity: Legal Risks and Nurse Responsibilities

Pat Iyer

Pat Iyer is a seasoned legal nurse consultant and business coach renowned for her expertise in guiding new legal nurse consultants to successfully break into the field. As the host of the Legal Nurse Podcast, Pat addresses critical challenges that legal nurse consultants face, such as difficulty in landing clients and lack of response from attorneys. Through her insightful episodes, she emphasizes the importance of effectively communicating one’s value to potential clients. With a wealth of experience, Pat has empowered countless consultants to overcome these hurdles and thrive in their careers.

Connect with Pat Iyer by email at [email protected]

Karen Vacca

Karen is trained across all surgical specialties, including open heart, neurosurgery, orthopedics, general, urology, and more. Her favorite cases are neuro and open hearts. She is a preceptor and trains new hires during their neuro rotation.

Connect with Karen Vacca by email at [email protected]