Assessment, diagnosis and treatment of peristomal skin lesions by remote imaging: An expert validation study.

BACKGROUND: Prevention and treatment of peristomal skin problems should be a priority for nurses caring for ostomates, even when the assessment of lesions must be done remotely. OBJECTIVE: To measure the level of agreement on assessment, diagnosis and care indications for peristomal skin lesions using remote imaging among nurses in Spain. DESIGN: Prospective observational multicentre study to assess the diagnostic validity and inter- and intraobserver agreement between nurses in peristomal skin lesions. Data were collected between March and October 2019. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: The research sample consisted of a group of 39 nurses with expertise in the care of ostomates. METHODS: A panel of experts established a list of 24 common signs/findings, 15 diagnostic options and 35 treatment approaches for peristomal skin lesions. Three expert stoma therapy nurses compiled the clinical cases, which they described thoroughly and documented with photographs. The 39 participating nurses evaluated the cases in two rounds to measure inter and intraobserver agreement. RESULTS: A high or very high level of agreement (κ > 0.61) was observed for the following signs: encrustation, nodules, mucocutaneous separation and varicose veins; for the following diagnoses: mucocutaneous dehiscence, allergic contact dermatitis, encrustation and varicose veins (caput medusae); for the following treatments: recommending a diet rich in vitamin C/blueberries, applying acetic acid dressings, applying cold and topical tacrolimus treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The most easily identifiable lesions were those most prevalent and with visible signs. There was a lower level of agreement in identifying lesions for which photographs required additional information (laboratory data, description of signs and symptoms, type of diet and level of self-care). It is important to train nurses caring for ostomates to correctly describe ostomy-related lesions, which is important for nursing records, continuity of care and telehealth care.

Evolution of Quality of Life and Treatment Adherence after One Year of Intermittent Bladder Catheterisation in Functional Urology Unit Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine patient difficulties and concerns when performing IBC (Intermittent Bladder Catheterisation), as well as the evolution of adherence, quality of life, and emotional state of patients one year after starting IBC. METHOD: A prospective, observational, multicentre study conducted in 20 Spanish hospitals with a one-year follow-up. Data sources were patient records and the King's Health Questionnaire on quality of life, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Perceived adherence was measured using the ICAS (Intermittent Catheterization Adherence Scale) and perceived difficulties with IBC were assessed using the ICDQ (Intermittent Catheterization Difficulty Questionnaire). For data analysis, descriptive and bivariate statistics were performed for paired data at three points in time (T1: one month, T2: three months, T3: one year). RESULTS: A total of 134 subjects initially participated in the study (T0), becoming 104 subjects at T1, 91 at T2, and 88 at T3, with a mean age of 39 years (standard deviation = 22.16 years). Actual IBC adherence ranged from 84.8% at T1 to 84.1% at T3. After one year of follow-up, a statistically significant improvement in quality of life (p ≤ 0.05) was observed in all dimensions with the exception of personal relationships. However, there were no changes in the levels of anxiety (p = 0.190) or depression (p = 0.682) at T3 compared to T0. CONCLUSIONS: Patients requiring IBC exhibit good treatment adherence, with a significant proportion of them performing self-catheterisation. After one year of IBC, a significant improvement in quality of life was noted, albeit with a significant impact on their daily lives and their personal and social relationships. Patient support programmes could be implemented to improve their ability to cope with difficulties and thus enhance both their quality of life and the maintenance of their adherence.

[Appropriateness of the use of incontinence absorbent products in hospitalized adults]. / Adecuación del uso de absorbentes de incontinencia urinaria en pacientes adultos ingresados en un hospital.

BACKGROUNDS: Improper use of incontinence absorbent products in adults can negatively affect self-esteem, quality of life and independence of the patient, as well as increase the workload and cause adverse events. There are few studies evaluating the appropriateness of diapers using validated scales for it, or the justification of nurses for its use in elderly who are hospitalized. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of diaper use in patients admitted to a hospital and to identify the criteria that determined their use and adequacy. METHOD: Observational, cross-sectional study of adult patients using diapers while admitted in Inpatient Units. For data collection cut day was held in April 2013, collecting data from nursing assessment records, patients themselves and their family. Barthel Index items were used as criteria of adequacy concerning mobility and disposal. RESULTS: 228 patients admitted. 83 (34.4%) of them had diapers and 25 (30.1%) of them had no criteria for using them. 28.8% (21) had not previously used diapers, the use of diapers in half of them was inappropriate. Factors associated with inappropriate use of diapers were older age, being female, more comorbidity and days of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show the often excessive use of incontinence absorbent products without proper application, not based on validated criteria.