Skiveren J, Wahlers B, Bermark S, et al.
Journal of wound care. Date of publication 2017 Feb 1;volume 26(Sup2):S32-S36.
1. J Wound Care. 2017 Feb;26(Sup2):S32-S36. doi: 10.12968/jowc.2017.26.Sup2.S32.
Prevalence of skin tears in the extremities among elderly residents at a nursing
home in Denmark.
Skiveren J(1), Wahlers B(2), Bermark S(1).
Author information:
(1)Clinical Nurse Specialist, Department of Dermatology and Copenhagen Wound
Healing Center, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
(2)Certified Wound Care Nurses, Department of Dermatology and Copenhagen Wound
Healing Center, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of skin tears in
the extremities and explore factors in relation to skin tears in elderly
residents at a Danish nursing home.
METHOD: The study was designed as a point prevalence survey and conducted at a
nursing home with 140 residents >65 years of age. The residents were assessed for
presence, number and location of skin tears. Data were collected using a data
collection sheet developed for this study. The survey team consisted of four
expert nurses from a university hospital (two dermatology and two wound care
nurses). Data were collected over a period of 10 hours spread over two days.
RESULTS: Of the 128 participating residents six had skin tears, yielding a
prevalence of 4.6 %. In total, 10 skin tears were observed in the 6 residents.
The frequency of previous skin tears was 19.5 %. This frequency was significantly
higher in residents with skin tears than in those without skin tears (83.3 %
versus 16.4 %, p<0.001). Analysis of the relation between skin tears or previous
skin tears versus without skin tears or previous skin tears showed significant
differences related to the presence of ecchymosis (76.9 %versus 14.7 %,
p<0.0001). There were no other significant factors observed.
CONCLUSION: The low prevalence found in this study may reflect the focus on
prevention of skin tears that the nursing home has maintained over the past year.
Nevertheless, the appropriate prevention and management of residents with skin
tears is an ongoing challenge for health professionals.
DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2017.26.Sup2.S32
PMID: 28182536 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
