What is a common complication associated with positioning patients improperly on the operating table?

Positioning patients improperly on the operating table can lead to various complications, with pressure ulcers being one of the most common. Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, occur when there is prolonged pressure on the skin, typically over bony prominences. During surgery, if a patient is not positioned correctly, it can impede blood flow to certain areas of the body, especially if they are lying in one position for an extended period. The risk of developing pressure ulcers highlights the importance of patient positioning and regular movement to relieve pressure.

In this context, while other complications such as infection, hypothermia, and blood loss are important to monitor in the perioperative setting, they are less directly related to the improper positioning of a patient on the operating table. Infection typically arises from surgical procedures themselves or from inadequate sterile techniques, hypothermia is often linked to environmental factors in the operating room, and blood loss is commonly associated with the surgical procedure rather than the position of the patient. Thus, pressure ulcers stand out as a direct result of improper positioning.