Skin tear risks associated with aged care residents: A cross-sectional study

Le résumé fourni par la source

Background: To describe the profile of aged care residents and to examine those variables that were associated with skin tears. Method: A representative sample of 200 elderly residents were recruited into this cross-sectional study, which was conducted between February and December 2014 from four aged care facilities in Western Australia. The resident's history of skin tears over the preceding 12-months was compared with their demographics (age, gender, place of birth) and a. broad range of clinical characteristics including: body mass index, comorbidities, medications, smoking history, falls, and personal skin characteristics (purpura, ecchymosis, bruising uneven pigmentation, pseudoscars). Results: A history of skin tears was documented for 101 (50.5%) residents during the preceding 12-months. Residents with a skin tear history were significantly older, more likely to have a skin tear on initial assessment, had a lower Braden Scale score and a lower Braden sub-score for mobility, were at higher risk of falling, had osteoporosis, used a corticosteroid inhaler, and displayed both skin purpura (s 20 mm.) and ecchymosis (:2: 20 mm.). Conclusions: Aged care residents are at substantial risk of skin tears. Identification of factors associated with skin tears aids better understanding of risk factors and enables more effective targeted preventive strategies.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.