title: Is Twice-Daily Skin Moisturizing More Effective Than Routine Care in the Prevention of Skin Tears in the Elderly Population?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Skin-moisturizing routines are part of a bundle of interventions designed to prevent skin tears.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This Evidence-Based Report Card reviews the effect of twice-daily moisturization of the skin on skin tear occurrence versus occurrence rates using routine skin care.
  
  
  METHODS
  The literature was systematically reviewed for studies that evaluated the use of standardized skin moisturizers on the rate of skin tears in the older adults (>60 years of age). A professional librarian performed the literature search, which yielded 446 articles. Following title and abstract reviews, we identified and retrieved 3 studies that met inclusion criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evidence concerning the effectiveness of routine twice-daily skin moisturizing reducing the rate of skin tears is mixed. Routine twice-daily skin moisturizing did not significantly result in a lower incidence of skin tears in long-term care residents compared to usual care in one study. However, the occurrence of skin tears per 1000 occupied beds was 50% lower when a moisturizer applied twice daily was compared to usual care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Routine skin moisturizing is recommended as one component of a prevention program for skin tears among aged adults residing in long-term care facilities.
authors.affiliation: Kimberly LeBlanc, MN, RN, CETN(C), School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; KDS Professional Consulting, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; and School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.Kathryn Kozell, MScN, BScN, BA, RN, CETN(C), has retired.Lina Martins, MScN, BScN, RN, CETN(C), London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada; and School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.Louise Forest-Lalande, MEd, RN, ET, has retired.Marilyn Langlois, BScN, RN, ET, University Hospital of Northern British Columbia, Enterostomal Therapy Department, Prince George, BC, Canada; and Academic Advisor, Canadian Association for Enterostomal Therapy K2P RN Wound Program.Mary Hill, MN, BScN, RN, CETN(C), Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: LeBlanc
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kozell
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Forest-Lalande
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Langlois
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D017592:Skin Care