Prevalence of incontinence-associated dermatitis and its relationship to nursing care and institutional structure in long-term medical facilities

Abstract

　Background: Incontinence-associated dermatitis（IAD）is a common problem in incontinent elderly patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the quality indicators used in nursing care, institutional structures, and the prevalence of IAD in long-term care facilities. Methods: Nurse managers responded to a survey conducted in the long-term medical facility wards of a certain prefecture. Quality indicators were selected from previous studies on the basis of Donabedian’s model. Results: Responses to the survey were obtained from 83 of the 141 wards surveyed（Recovery rate: 58.9%）. The prevalence of IAD was 5.9%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that 'the use of water and cleaning agent’ alone independently affected the presence of IAD（odds ratio, 0.134; 95% confidence intervals, 0.025-0.707; P = 0.018）. Conclusion: The prevalence of IAD in longterm medical facilities was found to be 5.9%. Use of water and a cleaning agent significantly reduced the likelihood of patients with IAD within a ward, suggesting that skin care may play a role in the development of IAD.