Application effects of tannic acid ointment on the prevention of incontinence dermatitis among elderly bedridden patients

Abstract

Objective To investigate the application effects of tannic acid ointment on the prevention of incontinence dermatitis among elderly bedridden patients. Methods Eighty elderly bedridden patients with fecal incontinence and intact skin, were randomly divided into observation group and control group. The patients of control group received the routine nursing method while the patients of observation group were prophylactically treated by smearing tannic acid ointment on the basis of routine nursing.The number and time of the cases occurring incontinence-associated dermatitis in both two groups were observed. Results Eight cases of incontinence dermatitis in the observation group occurred while thirty cases occurred in the control group (P<0.01). The incontinence dermatitis occurred later in the observation group compared with control group (P<0.01). Conclusions The tannic acid ointment can not only significantly reduce the incidence of incontinence dermatitis but also can delay the occurrence time of incontinence dermatitis among the bedridden patients with fecal incontinence. Key words: Elderly people; Bedridden; Urinary incontinence; Fecal incontinence; Incontinence dermatitis; Tannic acid ointment