Effect of an education program on the prevention of skin tears for nurses in a Japanese long-term care hospital: A pre-post study

Abstract

　Objective: Skin tears cause pain and distress for patients, and it is important to educate nurses regarding skin tear prevention. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a nursing education regarding skin tear prevention in a Japanese long-term care hospital.
　Methods: A pre-post study was conducted at a 736-bed long-term care facility in Tokyo, Japan (December 2018 to August 2019). Nurses attended a skin tear prevention seminar, which provided information regarding the definition of skin tears, risk factors, a skin tear classification system, treatment, preventive care, and various related products (arm protectors, dressings, and skin friendly silicone adhesive tapes). The primary outcome for evaluating the effectiveness of the education program was the incidences of skin tears during the 1-month period before the seminar and during the 6-month period after the seminar.
　Results: Forty-two nurses were recruited and attended the educational seminar, and 97 older adults consented to evaluations of their forearm skin. The care products introduced in the hospital after the educational seminar were skin moisturizers, silicon medical tapes, silicone foam dressings, and arm protectors. The incidence of skin tears was 2.1% during the 1-month period before the seminar. During the 6-month period after the seminary, the monthly incidences of skin tears were 4.2% during the first month after the seminar, 1.1% during the next 4 months, and 0.0% during the sixth month.
　Conclusion: Education regarding skin tear prevention may help nurses better identify and prevent skin tears.