The achievements and challenges of nursing facing the use of the ELPO scale

Abstract

Objective: To analyze publications in the literature related to the understanding and relevance of the construction and implementation of the ELPO Scale, by nursing in the hospital environment. Literature review: The Risk Assessment Scale for the Development of Injuries Resulting from Surgical Patient Positioning (ELPO) aims to identify the degree of risk for the patient to develop pressure injuries due to their positioning on the operating table. Surgical repositioning is a procedure that must be carried out by the entire surgical and nursing team, as if it is not carried out effectively, it will lead to implications that put the patient at risk. To put into practice the risk assessment scale, it is necessary to understand the anatomical and physiological changes resulting from each procedure in the client's body. Nurses, during the perioperative period, play a key role in decision making about patient care, especially with regard to repositioning this client in surgery, thus contributing to a better quality of care. Final considerations: Therefore, the ELPO scale is presented as a working tool that enables the leverage of nursing care in the health area.