Efficacy of a Skin Tear Education Program: Improving the Knowledge of Nurses Practicing in Acute Care Settings

This prospective educational intervention research study identifies the existing knowledge base of a sample of 416 practicing acute care nurses regarding skin tears and evaluates the efficacy of an educational program designed to improve these nurses’ knowledge regarding skin tears including: (1) predisposing factors; (2) identification and assessment of skin tears using the Payne Martin Classification System; and (3) preventive care, treatment and documentation regarding skin tears.  A pre-test baseline measurement of acute care nurses’ skin tear knowledge and a post-intervention post-test measurement of changes in these nurses’ skin tear knowledge were obtained following an on-line educational intervention.  The web-based skin tear educational program was effective in delivering new knowledge to these nurses.  Study results indicate a highly significant (p < .001) improvement between pre- and post-test scores for all three categories of skin tear knowledge studied: (1) identification and assessment of skin tears (97.1% to 99.1%); (2) the Payne Martin Classification system (83.4% to 94.9%); and (3) skin tear treatment (73.8% to 93.7%).

The results of this study demonstrate that there is a need to have a consistent skin tear identification tool and treatment protocol in place for standardized evidence-based practice among nurses in an acute care setting.  We recommend: (1) uniform skin tear education for all acute care staff nurses; (2) that the Payne Martin Skin Tear Classification System be used for skin tear documentation on all medical/surgical units; and (3) that product availability for the standardized treatment skin tears and a skin tear treatment protocols be available for nurses to follow.  Additionally, educational support should be readily available for staff nurses and patient care technicians regarding prevention strategies for skin tears.