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Skin Tear Management: A Multidisciplinary Education Project.
Carol L B Ott1, Christopher D Brinton, Thirumagal Yogaparan
1Carol L. B. Ott, MD, FRCPC, is Geriatrician, Baycrest Health Sciences/Women's College Hospital, and Assistant Professor, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Christopher D. Brinton, BSc, is Research Assistant, Kunin-Lunenfeld Centre for Applied Research and Evaluation, Baycrest Health Sciences and Medical Student at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Thirumagal Yogaparan, MD, FRCPC, is Geriatrician, Baycrest Health Sciences, Associate Professor, University of Toronto. Also at Baycrest Health Sciences, Taranvir Dayal, MN, is Advanced Practice Nurse Educator; Adrian Vecchio, MN, is Baycrest Innovation Partner; and Anna Berall, RN, is Project Coordinator, Kunin-Lunenfeld Centre for Applied Research and Evaluation. Acknowledgments : The authors acknowledge and thank Sandra Gardner, PhD, for providing the estimates of skin tear prevalence. This work was completed with a grant from the Academic Health Science Centre Alternative Funding Plan (Project BMS-19-003) to support the research staff in carrying out the study. The authors have disclosed no other financial relationships related to this article. This research was presented as a poster at the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Conference, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, in March 2022. Submitted October 3, 2022; accepted in revised form February 17, 2023.
A study found a 5.6% skin tear prevalence at Baycrest hospital, lower than literature medians. A multidisciplinary educational intervention significantly improved healthcare professionals
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Medical Education
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Skin tears are common injuries, particularly in vulnerable patient populations.
- Effective management requires accurate identification and appropriate treatment strategies.
- Existing literature indicates a wide range in skin tear prevalence across healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of skin tears at Baycrest Health Sciences.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary educational intervention on skin tear management.
- To enhance healthcare professionals' knowledge and confidence in treating skin tears.
Main Methods:
- A wound audit dataset was analyzed to establish skin tear prevalence.
- An educational module was developed and delivered to physicians, students, and clinical staff via in-person and virtual sessions.
- Post-session surveys assessed participants' knowledge, confidence, and feedback on skin tear management.
Main Results:
- The facility reported a skin tear prevalence of 5.6%, lower than the literature median of 8.8%.
- Educational intervention participants demonstrated significant improvements in classifying skin tears, identifying complications, and selecting appropriate dressings.
- Surveys indicated moderate to considerable increases in participants' knowledge and confidence regarding skin tear management.
Conclusions:
- A multidisciplinary educational approach effectively enhanced knowledge and confidence in skin tear identification and treatment.
- The educational intervention was well-received by physicians, students, and clinical care staff.
- The findings support the implementation of targeted educational programs to improve skin tear care.
