Prevention and management of skin tears in older people

McInulty, Lorna (2017) Prevention and management of skin tears in older people. Emergency Nurse, 25 (3). pp. 32-39. ISSN 1354-5752

[thumbnail of Author Accepted Manuscript]
Preview
PDF (Author Accepted Manuscript) - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

978kB

Official URL: https://doi.org/10.7748/en.2017.e1687

Abstract

Skin tears are prevalent in the elderly population and frequently encountered in emergency and unscheduled care. Patients may present soon after an acute skin tear or, depending on circumstance, at a later stage, when wound presentation may be
different and complications present. This article explains why traditional management involving the use of adhesives strips is no longer advocated. It seeks to educate the reader on current evidence-based recommendations so that appropriate treatment can be provided and aims to guide practitioners towards safe and specific onward referral of patients. Risk factors and strategies for prevention of skin tears are also discussed.


Repository Staff Only: item control page