Distinguishing Stage II Pressure Ulcer and Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD):

Introduction:

Distinguishing between a Stage II pressure ulcer and IAD can be problematic for nursing staff. IAD may inadvertently be documented as a pressure which could result in the wrong treatment. A nurse-driven unit-based project was implemented to address this potential problem.

Objectives:

After viewing this poster, the learner will be able to:

1. Define IAD
2. Discuss the difference between IAD and Stage II pressure ulcers
3. State the value of increasing staff awareness on IAD

Process:

A meeting to discuss the project was held with the nurse manager and nurse team leader. Weekly bedside rounds were conducted on all incontinent patients at risk for IAD. Staff education on distinguishing IAD from pressure ulcers was conducted on all shifts. The project team leader, while conducting weekly rounds, reviewed with the primary nurse the patient’s skin assessment to verify whether the injured skin was IAD or Stage II pressure ulcer.

Outcomes:

• During the project period IAD was not documented as a Stage II pressure ulcer
• There were no delays in appropriate treatment of IAD due to wrong diagnosis of Stage II pressure ulcer