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Preventing and managing skin tears: a review
1Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA. mary.roberts@bayfront.org
Summary
Skin tears are a growing concern for elderly individuals. Effective management by wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nurses focuses on preventing new injuries and treating existing ones to promote healing.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Wound Care
- Nursing Practice
Background:
- Skin tears are a prevalent issue in frail elderly populations.
- Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) nurses require expertise in skin tear prevention and management.
- Increasing incidence necessitates evidence-based strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on the management of skin tears.
- To identify effective interventions and protocols for skin tear care.
- To synthesize key themes in skin tear prevention and treatment.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was performed.
- Articles focusing on skin tear management were systematically analyzed.
- Key concepts and suggested interventions were extracted.
Main Results:
- Numerous interventions and protocols for skin tear management were identified.
- Prevention of skin tears emerged as a primary theme.
- Management strategies emphasize exudate control, moist wound healing, and minimizing further trauma.
Conclusions:
- WOC nurses play a critical role in addressing the challenge of skin tears in the elderly.
- A dual approach of prevention and appropriate management is crucial.
- Evidence-based practices should guide the care of skin tears to optimize patient outcomes.
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