Associations of dry skin, skin care habits, well-being, sleep quality and itch in nursing home residents: Results of a multicentre, observational, cross-sectional study

Skin care types, frequencies and products: A cross-sectional study in German institutional long-term care

AIM

The aim of the study was to describe types and frequencies of skin care interventions and products provided in institutional long-term care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Baseline data from a cluster randomized controlled trial conducted in nursing homes in Berlin, Germany was collected before randomization. Numbers, proportions and frequencies of washing, showering and bathing, and the application of leave-on products were calculated. Product labels were iteratively and inductively categorized into overarching terms and concepts.

RESULTS

A total of n = 314 residents participated in the study. In the majority, washing of the whole body was done once daily, and showering was performed once per week or more rarely. The majority received leave-on products daily on the face and once per week on the whole body. Most of the skin care interventions were delivered by nurses. There was marked heterogeneity in terms of product names, whereas the product names reveal little about the ingredients or composition.

CONCLUSION

Personal hygiene and cleansing interventions are major parts of clinical practice in long-term care. Daily washing is a standard practice at the moment. In contrast, leave-on products are used infrequently. To what extent the provided care promotes skin integrity is unclear. Due to the heterogeneity and partly misleading labels of skin care products, informed decision making is difficult to implement at present.

CLINICALTRIALS

GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT03824886.

Enhancing skin health and safety in aged care (SKINCARE trial): A cluster-randomised pragmatic trial

BACKGROUND

Older nursing home residents are prone to develop different skin conditions at the same time, including xerosis cutis, skin tears, pressure ulcers, incontinence-associated dermatitis or intertrigo. Guidelines and recommendations mainly address these skin conditions separately. The overall aim of this study was to measure the effects of the implementation of a skincare and prevention package.

TRIAL DESIGN

A two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted.

METHODS

In nursing homes being assigned to the intervention group, an evidence-based and structured skincare and prevention programme was implemented for six months. Nursing home residents in the control group received standard care as usual. Blinded dermatologists conducted head-to-toe skin assessments, and the researchers assessed skin barrier parameters including stratum corneum hydration and transepidermal water loss at the upper and lower extremities after three and six months. Outcomes included the cumulative incidence of incontinence-associated dermatitis, skin tears, pressure ulcers and intertrigo, and were presented as intention-to-treat and per protocol analysis. Skin dryness and resident-reported outcomes (pain, itch, quality of life) were assessed.

RESULTS

A random sample of 17 nursing homes in the federal state of Berlin, Germany, was drawn and randomised in intervention (n = 9) and control groups (n = 8). In total, 165 participants were allocated to the intervention, and 149 participants were allocated to the control group. The cumulative incidence of skin tears (19.2 %, 95 % CI 12.8-27.8), pressure ulcers (13.6 %, 95 % CI 8.1-21.9) and intertrigo (27.0 %, 95 % CI 18.4-37.7) was lower in the intervention compared to the control group, with cumulative incidences of 27.2 % (95 % CI 19.3-36.9) for skin tears, 16.9 % (95 % CI 10.6-25.9) for pressure ulcer, and 37.8 % (95 % CI 27.5-49.4) for intertrigo. The incidence of incontinence-associated dermatitis was higher in the intervention group (26.3 %, 95 % CI 17.9-36.8) compared to the control group (23.1 %; 95 % CI 14.6-34.5). Mean skin dryness was lower in the intervention group but showed variation. The impact on pain, itch, and quality of life was trivial.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study results indicate that the implementation of tailored and evidence-based nursing routines improves skin health and safety in residential long-term care. Evidence suggests that multiple adverse skin conditions can be prevented by regular skin assessments and individually tailored skincare routines. Positive effects on skin dryness were observed, but skin physiology parameters did not indicate changes of the skin barrier function.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study is registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (registration number: DRKS00015680; date of registration: January 29th, 2019) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03824886; date of registration: January 31st, 2019).

Skin assessments and interventions for maintaining skin integrity in nursing practice: An umbrella review

BACKGROUND

Daily skin care routines are fundamental aspects of clinical nursing practice. Providing skin care, including skin cleansing and application of leave-on products have substantial impact on the prevention and treatment of a number of skin conditions. There are hundreds of individual studies about skin risks, classifications, skin conditions, prevention and treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To summarise the overall evidence regarding 1) risk factors associated with xerosis cutis, incontinence-associated dermatitis/diaper dermatitis, intertrigo, skin tears, 2) the performance of diagnostic tests and/or classifications addressing the severity and/or signs and symptoms of xerosis cutis, incontinence-associated dermatitis/diaper dermatitis, intertrigo, skin tears, 3) the effects of skin cleansing/care interventions for the maintenance and promotion of skin integrity in all age groups, 4) effects of skin cleansing/care interventions for the prevention of xerosis cutis, incontinence-associated dermatitis/diaper dermatitis, intertrigo, skin tears in all age groups.

DESIGN

Umbrella review.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search in MEDLINE and Embase (via OvidSP), Cochrane and Epistemonikos was conducted. Reference lists and experts were consulted for potentially missed reviews.

REVIEW METHODS

Two reviewers screened titles/abstracts and full-texts independently. After rating the risk of bias only low to high overall confidence (AMSTAR 2) and low risk of bias (ROBIS) reviews were included.

RESULTS

Twelve systematic reviews were included. Due to substantial heterogeneity regarding study designs, methods, and outcomes all authors presented findings in a narrative synthesis. The validity and reliability of the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel classification is supported by moderate quality evidence, and the reliability and criterion validity for Skin Tear Audit Research were rated insufficient. Overall, review results indicate that structured skin care programs are preferable to unstructured skin care with classic soap and water for maintaining skin integrity in general, preventing skin tears, and to prevent and treat xerosis cutis and incontinence-associated dermatitis. All reviews focusing on leave-on products for the prevention and treatment of incontinence-associated dermatitis and diaper dermatitis indicate the effectiveness of barrier films or lipophilic leave-on products in adults, elderly people and paediatric care, but could not establish the superiority of any product.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of systematic reviews in the field of skin care is at high risk of bias and should not be used for evidence-based practice. Overall, evidence indicates, that structured skin care programs containing low-irritating cleansers and application of leave-on products are beneficial to maintain skin integrity and prevent skin damage across a wide range of different skin conditions across the life span.

Relationship between dry skin and pressure injury in older patients: A multicentre cross‐sectional survey in China

Dry skin and pressure injuries in older persons have become global health care problems. This was a multicentre, prospective cross-sectional study in 44 hospitals and 8 long term care institutions from 20 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China and aimed to explore the relationship between the two skin problems in older patients. We mainly found 11 602 cases with dry skin and 1076 cases with pressure injuries in a total of 33 769 valid participants. The overall prevalence of dry skin and pressure injuries was 34.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 33.9-34.9) and 3.1% (95% CI 2.9-3.3). Stage 2+ pressure injuries were the most (32.9%), followed by stage 1 (32.4%). The patients with dry skin had more pressure injuries than ones without dry skin (50.0% vs 33.9%). The patients with very severe and severe dry skin had more pressure injury risk (OR 2.22 and 1.90) and more stage 2+ pressure injury risk (OR 2.83 and 1.63). Other nine predictors associated with overall pressure injuries and stage 2+ pressure injuries. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the predictive models of overall pressure injuries and stage 2+ pressure injuries were 0.89 (95% CI 0.88-0.90) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.90-0.92), respectively.

[Modern management of chronic wounds]

The treatment of patients with chronic wounds is a multiprofessional challenge. Based on a comprehensive diagnosis and integrated into a causal treatment concept, patients should always be treated with a modern wound therapy. This wound therapy should try to take into account many different factors such as the wound healing phases, infection status, exudate levels, but also individual patient wishes. Especially in the case of chronic wounds of the lower extremities and edema, compression therapy is also very important for therapy and recurrence prophylaxis. In addition, the pain, which is usually very distressing, should be recorded and adequately treated or avoided. Modern moist wound therapy can then support the healing of patients with chronic wounds, reduce complications and thus improve their quality of life.