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Background:
Reduced mobility in combination with incontinence represents a major problem in nursing, including skin problems such as incontinence-associated-dermatitis (IAD) and decubitus ulcers. Appropriate skin care is one of the most important factors of decubitus prevention. More and more, products containing dimethicone are used to prevent skin irritation and complications caused by stool and urine.
Intervention: In this study, two research questions were addressed: 1) is it possible to enhance quality of the skin by treating the patient with 3% dimethicone barrier cloths in comparison with classical crèmes and lotions? And, 2) are nursing staff satisfied with these products as a treatment for incontinent patients? Long-term comparisons between classical skin care products (crème & lotion) and a 3% dimethicone barrier cloth were made. The study was conducted at in a Vienna hospital internal station. Subjects were selected due to lack of continence, either stool or urine. During Phase 1, 27 patients (Group 1 (G1); control) were treated with the classical treatment (crèmes and lotions). During Phase 2, (G2; intervention), 23 patients were treated with 3% dimethicone barrier cloths. Excretion, mobility, and skin status (erythema, wounds) were accounted for. In addition, nursing staff satisfaction was assessed.
Results:
Greater improvement in skin status were seen in the patients in G2 versus those in G1, especially with regard to wounds (# of wounds, G2 at start=6; G2 at end=0). This is especially interesting considering the increased immobility in this group. With regard to staff perceptions, 15 of 19 staff surveyed said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the 3% dimethicone barrier cloths; 18 of 19 surveyed said they found these cloths easy to use.
Conclusion:
These results of this study indicate positive effects of the 3% dimethicone barrier cloths, including patients with limited mobility and existing wounds due to incontinence.