A laboratory comparison between two liquid skin barrier products

Hospital-acquired pressure injury: our seven years of experience

OBJECTIVE

A pressure injury (PI) happens on the skin and in deeper tissues. Generally, it occurs due to prolonged compression over bony structures. A PI, when occurring during a hospital stay, is regarded as a hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI), and is considered as a marker for patient care quality. It might cause medical, legal or economic problems, and could be a burden on health systems. In this study we evaluate the factors contributing to HAPI formation.

METHOD

Between June 2014-June 2021, we retrospectively investigated the files of patients who were hospitalised with different medical conditions in Bayindir Sögütözü Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, for patients' age, sex, Waterlow scale score, mobilisation status, application of zinc-containing and/or barrier creams (ZnBC), airbed usage, hospitalisation period, and the day of wound opening.

RESULTS

The study cohort comprised 2327 hospitalised patients: 303 (13%) developed Stage 2 and deeper PIs; 2024 patients were hospitalised and discharged without wound opening. We found an increased risk in male patients and a lack of efficacy of ZnBC in protection from HAPI in our study population. However, we observed that ZnBC helped to delay wound opening and that the most protective treatment was the use of airbeds.

CONCLUSION

Health professionals should be more aware of HAPI formation with prolonged hospitalisation periods. Only the use of an airbed for a patient hospitalised for a long period appears to be protective against PI formation. On the other hand, use of ZnBC delays wound opening. However, further research is needed to demonstrate the protective effect of ZnBC, due to the lack of randomisation in our study and the lack of some nursing records.

Spray Film-Forming systems as promising topical in situ Systems: A review

Spray film-forming systems (SFFSs) provide great potential for the treatment of various types of wounds. Such systems afford to prolong the action of active substances, to prevent cross-contamination, and to ensure accelerated wound healing. Spray films are known since the mid-20th century, and nowadays they are widely used to treat minor skin injuries, but numerous clinical cases describe their successful use in the treatment of burns, wounds, bedsores, etc. The current level of polymer development and composite synthesis has greatly expanded the possibilities of creating compositions of spray film-forming systems. Scattered information and lack of standardization of such delivery systems creates difficulties for pharmaceutical development. This review highlights most of the existing requirements and suggestions from studies to standardize the characteristics of SFFSs and classify them based on scientific sources and regulatory documentation, as well as the position of such systems in the pharmaceutical market. The search and evaluation of known characterization methods and their modifications, as well as the approval of their list (separately for development and for standardization) can potentially increase the research interest in the problem of spray film-forming systems development and contribute to the registration of new drugs and medical devices in this promising dosage form, including with its own pharmacological effect.

Management of Moisture-Associated Skin Damage: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND:

Protecting the skin against moisture-associated damage is an important component of comprehensive skin and wound care. Based on a review of literature, the authors propose key interventions to protect and prevent damage in the skin folds, perineum, and areas surrounding a wound or stoma.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this scoping review is to identify and provide a narrative integration of the existing evidence related to the management and prevention of moisture-associated skin damage (MASD).

METHODS:

Study authors searched several databases for a broad spectrum of published and unpublished studies in English, published between 2000 and July 2015. Selected study information was collated in several different formats; ultimately, key findings were aggregated into a thematic description of the evidence to help generate a set of summative statements or recommendations.

RESULTS:

Based on inclusion criteria, 37 articles were considered appropriate for this review. Findings included functional definitions and prevalence rates of the 4 types of MASD, assessment scales for each, and 7 evidence-based strategies for the management of MASD.

CONCLUSIONS:

Based on this scoping review of literature, the authors propose key interventions to protect and prevent MASD including the use of barrier ointments, liquid polymers, and cyanoacrylates to create a protective layer that simultaneously maintains hydration levels while blocking external moisture and irritants.