Core body temperature, skin temperature, and interface pressure. Relationship to skin integrity in nursing home residents.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain the effects of 1-, 1 1/2-, and 2-hour turning intervals on nursing home residents' skin over the sacrum and trochanters.


OBJECTIVE
(1) the higher the core body temperature, the higher the skin surface temperature; (2) the 2-hour turning interval would have significantly higher skin surface temperature; (3) there would be no relationship between skin surface temperature and interface pressure; and (4) the sacrum would have the lowest skin surface temperature.


METHODS
Modified Latin-square.


METHODS
For-profit nursing home.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 26 residents who scored < 3 on the Short Portable Mini-Mental Status Questionnaire and did not have (1) open wounds; (2) albumin levels < 3.3 mg/dL; (3) severe arthritis; (4) cortisone, anticoagulation, insulin therapy or 3 medications for hypertension; and/or (5) were totally bedridden.


METHODS
First Temp measured core temperature; a disposable thermistor temperature probe, skin temperature; and a digital interface pressure evaluator, the interface pressure.


RESULTS
Negative correlation (r = -.33, P = .003) occurred between core body temperature and skin surface temperature. Skin surface temperature rose at the end of the 2-hour turning interval but was not significant (F = (2.68) = .73, P = .49). Weak negative relationship (r = -12, P = .29) occurred between skin surface temperature and interface pressure, and sacral skin surface temperature was significantly lower for the left trochanter only (F = (8.68) = 7.05, P = .002).


CONCLUSIONS
Although hypotheses were not supported, more research is needed to understand how time in position and multiple chronic illnesses interact to affect skin pressure tolerance.
Knox
D M
DM
University of Southwestern Louisiana College of Nursing, Lafayette, USA.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001831:Body Temperature; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011187:Posture; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012881:Skin Temperature; D013997:Time Factors