V Lerma1, M Macías2, R Toro3, A Moscoso4, Y Alonso4, O Hernández5, F J de Abajo6. 1. Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, IRYCIS, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: victoria.pielenred@gmail.com. 2. Quality Unit, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. 3. Care Research Unit, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. 4. Burn Unit, University Hospital of Getafe, Getafe, Madrid, Spain. 5. Burn Unit, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. 6. Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Alcalá, IRYCIS, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe how nursing care is delivered to patients with epidermal necrolysis in burn units/specialized units in Spain and a selection of countries. METHOD: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire which was sent to nurse managers in all burn units in Spain and a selection of countries. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the results. RESULTS: All BU/SUs in Spain (n=12) and seven BU/SUs from a selection of countries completed the questionnaire. A lack of specific nursing protocols on Epidermal Necrolysis was observed in most burn units in Spain. Skin cleansing techniques such as showering were only reported by participants from Spain. Use of antiseptics was less frequent in other countries. Conservative skin management was the most extended practice reported by all participants. The use of vaginal molds to prevent synechiae and coverage of the ocular surface with amniotic membrane to minimize sequelae were rarely reported. Pain assessment was not always documented in sedated patients and few participants reported the use of specific scales for this purpose. All nurses agreed in the need for consensus nursing care guidelines on the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing care in patients with epidermal necrolysis varied between burn units in Spain. Differences and similarities were observed when compared with burn units in other countries. Genital and ocular care were outdated in all BU/SUs. Pain assessment documentation was suboptimal. Evidence-based nursing care guidelines were generally demanded by all participants to help reduce mortality and morbidity of this rare and often devastating disease.
OBJECTIVE: To describe how nursing care is delivered to patients with epidermal necrolysis in burn units/specialized units in Spain and a selection of countries. METHOD: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire which was sent to nurse managers in all burn units in Spain and a selection of countries. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the results. RESULTS: All BU/SUs in Spain (n=12) and seven BU/SUs from a selection of countries completed the questionnaire. A lack of specific nursing protocols on Epidermal Necrolysis was observed in most burn units in Spain. Skin cleansing techniques such as showering were only reported by participants from Spain. Use of antiseptics was less frequent in other countries. Conservative skin management was the most extended practice reported by all participants. The use of vaginal molds to prevent synechiae and coverage of the ocular surface with amniotic membrane to minimize sequelae were rarely reported. Pain assessment was not always documented in sedated patients and few participants reported the use of specific scales for this purpose. All nurses agreed in the need for consensus nursing care guidelines on the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing care in patients with epidermal necrolysis varied between burn units in Spain. Differences and similarities were observed when compared with burn units in other countries. Genital and ocular care were outdated in all BU/SUs. Pain assessment documentation was suboptimal. Evidence-based nursing care guidelines were generally demanded by all participants to help reduce mortality and morbidity of this rare and often devastating disease.