Epidemiology of Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis and Intertriginous Dermatitis (Intertrigo) in an Acute Care Facility.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) and intertriginous dermatitis (ITD) upon admission, and the incidence of hospital-acquired IAD and ITD in a sample of acutely ill adults. DESIGN: This was a descriptive, retrospective-cohort observational study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 417 adults admitted to an urban community hospital licensed for 249 acute and 52 acute rehabilitation beds in Charleston, South Carolina, and referred to WOC nurses for evaluation and treatment. METHODS: Prevalence and incidence rates were calculated from data previously collected for quality improvement purposes from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2016, by the WOC nurses and documented in a secure, password-protected electronic spreadsheet. The prevalence of IAD/ITD was calculated as the proportion of patients diagnosed with IAD/ITD on admission to our facility. The incidence of IAD and ITD was calculated as percentage of patients who developed IAD/ITD during the course of their hospital stay. All units in the hospital were included. RESULTS: The mean prevalence of IAD present on admission was 16%; the prevalence decreased over the data collection period; it was 21% in 2014, 15% in 2015, and 13% in 2016. The mean incidence of hospital-acquired IAD during the data collection period was 23%; the highest rate (26%) occurred in 2016. Patients classified as normal weight from their body mass index and patients 60 years and older had the highest incidence of hospital-acquired IAD. The mean prevalence of ITD for patients admitted to the hospital was 40% for the 3-year time; annual rates varied from a low of 36% in 2015 to a high of 42% in 2016. The mean incidence of hospital-acquired ITD was 33% over the data collection period; mean incidence rates were 32% in 2014, 39% in 2015, and 29% in 2016. The incidence of ITD was higher in patients classified as obese based on body mass index in patients 60 years and older. The most common location was the gluteal cleft. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of IAD fell within the range of prior epidemiologic studies, but the facility-acquired IAD incidence rates were higher than other studies based in the acute care setting. The prevalence of ITD was higher than rates reported in prior studies; we searched the literature and found no previous reports of ITD occurrences over the course of a hospital stay. Additional research regarding IAD prevention and ITD in the gluteal cleft is needed. Data collection regarding IAD and ITD prevalence and incidence could be incorporated into the data collection tool used for pressure injury data collection for the National Database of Nursing Sensitive Indicators.

Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis and Intertriginous Dermatitis as Nurse-Sensitive Quality Indicators: A Delphi Study.

PURPOSE: This purpose of this study was to determine whether consensus exists concerning the need to collect epidemiologic data about 2 forms of moisture-associated skin damage, incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) and intertriginous dermatitis (ITD), and whether these data should be part of data routinely collected as part of the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI). DESIGN: Modified Delphi technique. SAMPLE AND SETTING: Questionnaires were sent via e-mail to 50 identified experts, with an initial response of 17. Thirteen clinical experts responded to the second round and 11 responded to a third round. METHODS: Items on the questionnaires were investigator-developed. Consensus was defined as 80% or more agreement. Three rounds of questionnaires were employed to attempt consensus. Descriptive statistics were performed using mean and standard deviation for continuous data and frequencies and percentages for categorical data. Qualitative data were analyzed question by question by the primary researcher using content analysis. RESULTS: Consensus was achieved indicating that individual facilities should regularly collect data about IAD prevalence or incidence. Consensus was not reached about the need to regularly collect data about ITD prevalence or incidence. Panelists also failed to reach consensus that IAD or ITD prevalence or incidence should be incorporated into the NDNQI indicators. CONCLUSION: Panelists did not reach consensus that IAD or ITD epidemiologic data should be incorporated on the NDNQI. Additional research is needed, particularly in the area of ITD, before benchmarks can be established regarding these data as nurse-sensitive indicators of quality care.

Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries in Long-term Acute Care Hospital Setting.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the epidemiology of medical device-related pressure injuries (MDRPIs) in 3 long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs). DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 304 adult inpatients at 3 geographically diverse LTACHs: Spaulding Hospital for Continued Medical Care, Drake Center, and Bethesda Hospital. The facilities are located in the Northeastern, Southeastern, and Midwestern United States. METHODS: Hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) data and MDRPI data were collected and reported for the 3 LTACHs from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010. Data were collected by the wound nurses at 2 of the facilities on a daily or weekly basis and quarterly at the remaining site. RESULTS: One hundred forty-two MDRPIs occurred during data collection, representing an occurrence rate of (47%). The proportion of MDRPIs and HAPIs at each of the LTACHs was 38%, 50%, and 47%, respectively. The most commonly reported medical devices causing pressure injury were respiratory devices, splints and braces, and tubing. CONCLUSIONS: The MDRPI rate identified in the LTACH setting was higher than rates reported in the literature. This study's findings confirm the importance of monitoring MDRPIs in order to implement appropriate prevention strategies.

Revisiting colostomy irrigation: a viable option for persons with permanent descending and sigmoid colostomies.

Colostomy irrigation (CI) is the regular irrigation of the bowel for persons with a permanent colostomy of the descending or sigmoid colon. Although this technique was first described in the 1920s, a recent study of 985 WOC nurses found that almost half (47%) do not routinely teach CI to persons with colostomies. In a systematic review (Evidence-Based Report Card) published in this issue of the Journal, we summarized current best evidence concerning the effect of CI on bowel function and found that irrigation reduces the frequency of bowel elimination episodes and allows some patients to reduce or eliminate ongoing use of a pouching system. This article describes techniques for teaching CI and discussed additional findings associated with CI.

Negative pressure wound therapy overlay technique with collagen dressings for nonhealing wounds.

BACKGROUND: Our clinical experience suggests that the effectiveness of negative pressure wound therapy is enhanced by adding collagen alginate to the dressing regimen, applying foam over areas that are undermined or tunneled, and approximating and securing wound edges prior to applying foam. CASES: The use of this combined technique is described in 4 cases, including 2 patients with spinal cord injury and category IV pressure ulcers and 2 patients with extensive postsurgical wounds. CONCLUSION: Our outcomes demonstrate the feasibility of this technique and suggest that patients with significant wound size benefit from adding collagen alginate to negative pressure wound therapy and by applying foam over areas that are undermined or tunneled and/or approximating and securing wound edges prior to applying foam.