Stop Incontinence Associated Dermatitis to reduce the risk of Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers

Title: Stop Incontinence Associated Dermatitis to reduce the risk of Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers

Aim:  A process was needed to better support skin care champions as they educate and work with nurses for prevention and treatment of Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD) and to increase nurses’ understanding of its relationship to Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers.

Methods: A step by step approach to assess the skin was developed and presented as a guideline for skin care champions and nurses working with a variety of patient populations in a large county hospital setting.  Skin care champions were required to attend a monthly 3 hour educational day of CE programs and instruction for managing wound and skin issues offered by the district's Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses (WOCN).  The champions were also required to complete the Pressure Ulcer tutorial on the National Database of National Nursing Quality Indicators(NDNQI) website prior to participating in a Pressure Ulcer survey.  Champions disseminated guideline information to nurses at the unit levels.  Quarterly Pressure Ulcer Prevalence studies were conducted by the skin care champions at 3 hospital sites within the healthcare systetm.  Data collection for IAD began in Quarter 2 of 2010 and continued until Quarter 1 of 2011.  During the three quarters, 1264 patients were surveyed for IAD and Pressure Ulcer Development.

Results:  Out of 1264 patients, only .02% had reported IAD.  Persistent vigilance from the health care team and the use of a step by step approach to skin care has supported a reduction in IAD and Pressure Ulcer complication rates.

Conclusion:  Established guidelines used by skin care champions can support nurses' practice with reducing IAD.