Rationale: An ideal protocol is evidence-based, addresses regulatory and in-servicing needs and can be used by all staff regardless of their training level. Patient, family and staff needs, including those for education, must be met. The protocol included polymeric membrane dressings because their attributes best met published skin tear dressing criteria.

Methodology: A new evidence-based skin tear protocol was beta-tested in nine facilities. After a thorough review of the literature, it was refined and detailed information on the causes and prevention of skin tears was added. The protocol was presented in over 450 long-term-care and other facilities. Independent clinicians divided skin tears into two groups. One group would be treated according to the new protocol; the second group would be treated according to prior practice. Both groups (4 – 12 new skin tears each) would be evaluated using one evaluation tool. Clinicians weren’t compensated for participating.

Results: When caregivers saw the results of the new protocol, they often insisted on switching exclusively to the new protocol prematurely. Evaluation is on-going, but 60 days into the trial 88% of facilities who had completed the evaluation had ordered polymeric membrane dressings and converted to the new protocol.

Nurses reported dressing changes using the new protocol took, on average, less than 2 minutes to complete. Cases healed in about 10 days with an average of just over 2 dressings. Early data shows previous methods took much longer and used significantly more dressings. Final conclusions await further data.

Conclusion: Preliminary results show the new skin tear protocol results in superior healing, decreased pain, and dramatically diminished dressing change time.

PolyMem^®