Hanne Van Tiggelen1, Nele Van Damme2, Sofie Theys3, Eline Vanheyste4, Sofie Verhaeghe5, Kimberly LeBlanc6, Karen Campbell7, Kevin Woo8, Ann Van Hecke9, Dimitri Beeckman10. 1. Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Hanne.VanTiggelen@UGent.be. 2. Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Nele.VanDamme@UGent.be. 3. Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Sofie.Theys@UGent.be. 4. Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Eline.Vanheyste@UGent.be. 5. University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department Health Care, VIVES University College, Roeselare, Belgium. Electronic address: Sofie.Verhaeghe@UGent.be. 6. School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; KDS Professional Consulting, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: kimleblanc@rogers.com. 7. School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: kcampbel@uwo.ca. 8. School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: kevin.woo@queensu.ca. 9. University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Nursing Department, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Ann.VanHecke@UGent.be. 10. Skin Integrity Research Group (SKINT), University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; School of Nursing & Midwifery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland; School of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Sweden. Electronic address: Dimitri.Beeckman@UGent.be.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although skin tears are among the most prevalent acute wounds in nursing homes, their recognition as a unique condition remains in its infancy. Elderly patients are at risk of developing skin tears due to increased skin fragility and other contributing risk factors. In order to provide (cost-) effective prevention, patients at risk should be identified in a timely manner. OBJECTIVES: (1) To determine the point prevalence of skin tears and (2) to identify factors independently associated with skin tear presence in nursing home residents. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was set up, including 1153 residents in 10 Belgian nursing homes. Data were collected by trained researchers and study nurses using patient records and skin observations. A multiple binary logistic regression model was designed to explore independent associated factors (significance level α < 0.05). RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 795 nursing home residents, of which 24 presented with skin tears, resulting in a point prevalence of 3.0%. Most skin tears were classified as category 3 (defined as complete flap loss) according to the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) Classification System and 75.0% were located on the lower arms/legs. Five independent associated factors were identified: age, history of skin tears, chronic use of corticosteroids, dependency for transfers, and use of adhesives/dressings. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a skin tear prevalence of 3.0% in nursing home residents. Age, history of skin tears, chronic use of corticosteroids, dependency for transfers, and use of adhesives/dressings were independently associated with skin tear presence.
BACKGROUND: Although skin tears are among the most prevalent acute wounds in nursing homes, their recognition as a unique condition remains in its infancy. Elderly patients are at risk of developing skin tears due to increased skin fragility and other contributing risk factors. In order to provide (cost-) effective prevention, patients at risk should be identified in a timely manner. OBJECTIVES: (1) To determine the point prevalence of skin tears and (2) to identify factors independently associated with skin tear presence in nursing home residents. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was set up, including 1153 residents in 10 Belgian nursing homes. Data were collected by trained researchers and study nurses using patient records and skin observations. A multiple binary logistic regression model was designed to explore independent associated factors (significance level α < 0.05). RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 795 nursing home residents, of which 24 presented with skin tears, resulting in a point prevalence of 3.0%. Most skin tears were classified as category 3 (defined as complete flap loss) according to the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) Classification System and 75.0% were located on the lower arms/legs. Five independent associated factors were identified: age, history of skin tears, chronic use of corticosteroids, dependency for transfers, and use of adhesives/dressings. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a skin tear prevalence of 3.0% in nursing home residents. Age, history of skin tears, chronic use of corticosteroids, dependency for transfers, and use of adhesives/dressings were independently associated with skin tear presence.
Authors: Cinthia V B da Silva; Ticiane C G F Campanili; Noélle de Oliveira Freitas; Kimberly LeBlanc; Sharon Baranoski; Vera L C de Gouveia Santos Journal: Int Wound J Date: 2019-11-22 Impact factor: 3.315
Authors: H Van Tiggelen; K LeBlanc; K Campbell; K Woo; S Baranoski; Y Y Chang; A M Dunk; M Gloeckner; H Hevia; S Holloway; P Idensohn; A Karadağ; E Koren; J Kottner; D Langemo; K Ousey; A Pokorná; M Romanelli; V L C G Santos; S Smet; G Tariq; K Van den Bussche; A Van Hecke; S Verhaeghe; H Vuagnat; A Williams; D Beeckman Journal: Br J Dermatol Date: 2019-11-28 Impact factor: 9.302
Authors: José Ferreira Pires-Júnior; Tânia Couto Machado Chianca; Eline Lima Borges; Cissa Azevedo; Giovana Paula Rezende Simino Journal: Rev Lat Am Enfermagem Date: 2021-11-08