Langemo DK, Brown G, et al.
Advances in skin & wound care. Date of publication 2006 May 1;volume 19(4):206-11.
1. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2006 May;19(4):206-11.
Skin fails too: acute, chronic, and end-stage skin failure.
Langemo DK(1), Brown G.
Author information:
(1)University of North Dakota College of Nursing, Grand Forks, ND, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To identify what has been published in the literature about acute and
chronic skin failure and to propose a working definition of this phenomenon.
DESIGN: A systematic review of MEDLINE and CINAHL to determine what has been
published in the literature on the topics of skin failure, acute skin failure,
chronic skin failure, multiple organ failure, end-of-life skin deterioration, and
pressure ulcers in hospice from 1984 to 2005.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Published papers were reviewed for content related to
acute, chronic, and end-stage skin failure.
MAIN RESULTS: Seven articles were identified that referenced either acute,
chronic, or end-stage skin failure. Additional information was identified that
discussed the processes of acute and chronic skin failure and pressure ulcers in
individuals in hospice care or at the end of life. Care considerations and
dilemmas related to a curative versus palliative goal in wound healing were
discussed.
CONCLUSIONS: Minimal literature exists on skin failure, yet caregivers and the
public must be aware of, assess for, and consider this phenomenon in their care.
Based on this literature review, skin failure was defined by the authors as an
event in which the skin and underlying tissue die due to hypoperfusion that
occurs concurrent with severe dysfunction or failure of other organ systems. Skin
failure can be categorized as acute, chronic, or end stage. Pressure ulcers, a
type of skin death, frequently occur in persons with a heavy disease burden,
especially those at or near the end of life, despite good care.
DOI: 10.1097/00129334-200605000-00014
PMID: 16641567 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
