2005 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care | |
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Clinical Research
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A neonatal/pediatric skin care initiative Mona Baharestani, PhD, ANP, CWOCN, CWS, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY; Roseanne Vertichio, MS, RN, Mary Beth Higgins, BSN, RN, Mark Kurot, MSN, NNP, Betty May, BSN, RNC, Schneider Children’s Hospital, New Hyde Park, NY There is a dearth of literature specifically addressing pressure ulcers in the neonatal and pediatric populations. Yet, similar to adults, immobilized children are at risk for pressure ulcers. Given the disproportionately large size of the head compared to the truncal region, neonates are at high risk for occipital pressure ulcers. Among those neonates receiving CPAP, pressure induced septal necrosis can rapidly ensue. Therefore, it is vital that caregivers for these patients be provided with education, age appropriate risk assessment tools, developmentally appropriate equipment and access to evidence-linked skin care/pressure ulcer prevention, prediction and treatment guidelines. A multi-specialty Neonatal/Pediatric Skin Care Initiative Committee was formed to examine their unique pressure ulcer prevention and general skin preservation needs. An extensive literature review pertaining to neonatal/pediatric skin care, risk identification tools, and pressure ulcers in the general scope was performed. Validated and reliable age specific risk assessment tools were identified and incorporated into documentation tools and skin care guidelines. Age specific pressure redistribution, positioning devices and skin care products were evaluated. A hospital-wide pressure ulcer prevalence study was conducted after an educational session on staging, data collection was provided to data collectors. Based on the prevalence results, corrective actions were enacted through product reevaluation, staff education and modifications to documentation tools and guidelines. The completed Neonatal/Pediatric Skin Care Program, will be formally implemented in January, 2005 and a pressure ulcer prevalence study and documentation audit will be performed in March to examine the impact of our program. |
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