The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center (VCUMC) is a quaternary urban academic medical center located in Richmond, Virginia. Our 865-bed facility is the only level I verified adult and pediatric trauma center in Richmond, hosting a state-of-the-art critical care tower, where our 14-bed cardiac surgery intensive care unit (CSICU) resides. We provide intensive care nursing for adult and geriatric patients who require surgical treatment of cardiac, thoracic, and vascular conditions. Our mechanical circulatory assist program serves as a referral center for patients in the region who require advanced cardiac and respiratory life support interventions. Patients with such complex problems are often transported to us by the VCUMC mobile intensive care unit (ICU) team.

Patients in the CSICU are at high risk for development of hospital- acquired pressure ulcers as a result of their extensive cardiopulmonary bypass times, hemodynamic instability, and vasopressor requirements. Additionally, many cardiac surgery patients are difficult to...

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