Incontinence-associated dermatitis remains an important practice concern, and time-strapped clinicians need to do a better job of adopting available treatment guidelines.
Those are the findings of a multidisciplinary research group that explored the state of IAD in a paper published in November’s Advances in Skin & Wound Care.
“Ultimately, synthesis and awareness of the current literature are not enough; clinicians and caregivers must act to prevent and treat IAD,” reported the authors, who were led by Laurie L. McNichol, MSN, RN, a clinical nurse specialist in North Carolina and Elizabeth A. Ayello, Ph.D., RN, the journal’s co–editor-in-chief.
Their review confirmed the approach of using various skin protectants; cleansing the skin soon after an incontinence episode; and using newer absorptive products that wick wetness away from the skin.
But the authors warned that training must lead to consistent practice changes in healthcare settings and at home, where an increasing number of patients are being cared for by family members who may not know much about proper skin care.They highlighted “skin care champions” as an integral part of changing daily care.
Additionally, the authors developed the ACT mnemonic. The A stands for assess; C for cleanse skin, correct cause, and contain incontinence; and T for treat vulnerable or damaged skin and avoid traumatic skin injury.
From the December 2018 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
