Effect of Nursing Interventions in Prevention and Healing of Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis among Critical Care Patients

Abstract

Incontinence is a common problem among hospitalised patients and has been associated with multiple health complications, including incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) and hospitalacquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs). IAD is one of the clinical manifestations of moisture- associated skin damage (MASD). IAD is a common problem in aged patients with faecal and/or urinary incontinence. In this study it was sought to reduce the incidence of IAD among critically ill patients admitted in ICU from 5.94 rate to <2.00 by implementing Nursing Interventions of IAD protocol. A one group pre-test post-test design was selected using consecutive sampling technique. The data was obtained by using an audit checklist prior and post-interventions. Results showed that the compliance to IAD protocol increased from 37.94 percent to 77.33 percent. Incidence of IAD reduced from 5.94 to 2.02 in the last 3 months. Healing status of IAD was 100 percent in June & July 2017. Thus nursing interventions are effective in the prevention and healing of IAD among critical care patients. To conclude incontinence associated dermatitis is a prevalent but under-recognised form of skin damage in the critically ill patients with urinary or fecal incontinence. Prevention and treatment focus on treatment of underlying incontinence and protection of skin exposed to urine or stool-based on a structure skin care regimen.