Skin breakdown prevention: Products that help
Gentle care practices to help reduce pressure injury risk factors.
It’s difficult to accurately quantify the number of pressure injuries at any given healthcare facility—it depends on factors like geography and clinical setting. But prevalence has been reported globally as high as 72.5%.1
No matter the variables, one thing is certain: pressure injuries are still a major cause of patient suffering and death. Plus, they’re expensive. Wound care for these pressure injuries costs the healthcare industry billions of dollars a year.1
Up to 72.5%
Prevalence of pressure injuries globally1
$11.6 billion
Cost of pressure injury treatment in the U.S. annually1
When it comes to reducing the likelihood of pressure ulcers, it’s important to keep skin healthy. The right system of skin care products can help.
Factors that increase the risk of skin breakdown
You provide every patient with individualized skin care, but some general skin characteristics signal a weaker skin barrier. Be sure to recognize these risk factors, as they may contribute to the development of a pressure injury:2
- Dryness
- Excess moisture
- Thinning
- Inflammation
Preventing skin injury with 4 strategies
2
Cleanse skin promptly after episodes of incontinence
Tip: Skin protectant containing calamine can help dry light exudate, while menthol offers temporary relief of skin discomfort and itching.
3
Avoid alkaline soaps and cleansers
Tip: As part of an overall skin care routine, a pH-balanced foam cleanser has been shown to reduce risk of skin breakdown.3
4
Protect skin from moisture with a barrier product
Tip: Dimethicone-based barrier cream helps soothe and moisturize even the most fragile skin.
Added opportunity for skin health
While cleansing, moisturizing and applying skin care lotions, take the time to assess your patient’s skin for any changes in the skin or areas at risk you hadn’t noticed before. That way, you can adjust your pressure injury prevention plan as needed, whether it’s with added support surfaces, dressings or other skin care products.
Key takeaway
Pressure injuries affect patients in every care setting, causing them pain and suffering, not to mention cost to the healthcare organization. Maintaining skin integrity with the right skin care routine and products is an essential part of any skin breakdown prevention protocol.
References:
- NPIAP Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline, 2019, page 11.
- NPIAP Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline, 2019, page 73.
- NPIAP Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline, 2019, page 85.
