title: Skin integrity in hospitalized infants and children: a prevalence survey.
abstract: The purpose of this paper was to describe the spectrum of alterations in skin integrity and skin care needs of hospitalized infants and children. A 1-day skin prevalence audit was conducted in the spring of 2005 in a tertiary care university-affiliated children's hospital. Patient skin was assessed for any alterations. The Braden Q Scale was used to assess patient risk for pressure ulcer development. Alterations in skin integrity included diaper dermatitis, pressure ulcers, intravenous infiltrations, device-related injuries, and epidermal injuries. Many patients required additional skin care, including wound/incision care, ostomy care, and care related to invasive devices. Alterations in skin integrity represent a serious problem in the pediatric inpatient setting. The data presented identify skin integrity challenges in the hospitalized patient and can help guide staff education and resource allocation, encourage evidenced-based management protocols, and serve as a benchmark for similar pediatric facilities.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Children's Hospital Boston, MA 02115, USA. catherine.noonan@childrens.harvard.edu <catherine.noonan@childrens.harvard.edu>
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Noonan
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quigley
authors.forename: Martha A Q
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Curley
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003963:Diaper Rash / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009731:Nursing Audit; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010030:Ostomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017592:Skin Care; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000451:nursing