Edda Johansen1, Ranveig Lind2, Britt Sjøbø3, Antonija Petosic4. 1. University of South-Eastern Norway, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Brønnbakken 42, 3038 Drammen, Norway. Electronic address: edda.johansen@usn.no. 2. Department of Health and Care Sciences, Harstad, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Norway; University Hospital of North Norway, Intensive Care Unit, Tromsø, Norway. 3. Department of Intensive Care, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. 4. Oslo University Hospital, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Department of Postoperative and Intensive Care, University of Oslo, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, Norway.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Critically ill patients are at risk of developing moisture associated skin damage and pressure ulcers. These conditions may co-exist and be difficult to distinguish, but a simultaneous investigation may provide a true prevalence. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of moisture associated skin damage and associated factors among Norwegian intensive care patients. METHODS: A multi-centre one-day point-prevalence study. RESULTS: Totally, 112 patients participated in the study. Overall, 15 patients (13%, 15/112) had some type of moisture associated skin damage of which six cases (5%, 6/112) were related to faeces and/or urine (incontinence associated dermatitis). Skin breakdown occurred primarily in the pelvic area. Overall, 87% (97/112) had an indwelling urinary catheter. Stools were reported in 42% (47/112) of the patients on the study day, mostly liquid or semi-liquid. Overall, 11% (12/112) had a faecal management system. Only a few care plans for moisture associated skin damage prevention and care existed. CONCLUSION: Patients in this study were vulnerable to skin breakdown in the pelvic area. Nevertheless, a low prevalence of skin breakdown existed. This may relate to intensive care nurses' qualifications, the 1:1 nurse-patient staffing, the high prevalence of urinary catheters and few patients having stools.
BACKGROUND:Critically illpatients are at risk of developing moisture associated skin damage and pressure ulcers. These conditions may co-exist and be difficult to distinguish, but a simultaneous investigation may provide a true prevalence. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of moisture associated skin damage and associated factors among Norwegian intensive care patients. METHODS: A multi-centre one-day point-prevalence study. RESULTS: Totally, 112 patients participated in the study. Overall, 15 patients (13%, 15/112) had some type of moisture associated skin damage of which six cases (5%, 6/112) were related to faeces and/or urine (incontinence associated dermatitis). Skin breakdown occurred primarily in the pelvic area. Overall, 87% (97/112) had an indwelling urinary catheter. Stools were reported in 42% (47/112) of the patients on the study day, mostly liquid or semi-liquid. Overall, 11% (12/112) had a faecal management system. Only a few care plans for moisture associated skin damage prevention and care existed. CONCLUSION:Patients in this study were vulnerable to skin breakdown in the pelvic area. Nevertheless, a low prevalence of skin breakdown existed. This may relate to intensive care nurses' qualifications, the 1:1 nurse-patient staffing, the high prevalence of urinary catheters and few patients having stools.