The effect of uncoated paper application on skin moisture, risk of pressure injury and incidence of pressure injury in neurologic intensive care unit patients: A randomized controlled trial

• Published in: International journal of nursing practice Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. e12919 - n/a
• Main Authors: Choi, Yoo‐Hyung, Kim, Sung Reul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.08.2021
• Subjects: Clinical trials; Injuries; Injury prevention; Intensive care; Intensive treatment; Moisture; nervous system diseases; Nursing; nursing care; pressure ulcer; pressure ulcer/prevention and control; Pressure ulcers; Prevention programs; skin; skin; nervous system diseases; pressure ulcer/prevention and control; nursing care; pressure ulcer
• ISSN: 1322-7114; 1440-172X
• DOI: 10.1111/ijn.12919

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effects of uncoated paper on skin moisture, pressure injury risk and pressure injury incidence in neurological intensive care unit patients. Methods A randomized controlled design was used. The experimental group (n = 68) received usual care (repositioning every 2 h and use of an air mattress) and application of uncoated paper on the sacral area for 5 days, whereas the control group (n = 67) received only usual care. A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine changes in the skin moisture and risk of pressure injury between the groups. A chi‐squared test was used to determine the change in the incidence of pressure injuries for sacral area. Data were collected from 20 October 2017 to 6 March 2018. Results There were statistically significant differences in the skin moisture and risk of pressure injuries between the experimental and control groups. However, a significant difference was not observed in the incidence of pressure injuries between the groups. Conclusion The use of uncoated paper may be a valid nursing intervention for the prevention of pressure injuries in neurological intensive care unit patients. SUMMARY STATEMENT What is already known about this topic? The neurological intensive care unit patients with motor deficits, loss or deterioration of sensory function and decreased consciousness have high risk of pressure injuries. Although various guidelines consider excessive skin moisture as an important cause of pressure injuries, few targeted interventions exist to manage excessive skin moisture. What this paper adds? The uncoated paper application was effective in reducing skin moisture in neurologic intensive care unit patients. In addition, application of uncoated paper application has an effect on risk of pressure injury in neurologic intensive care unit patients. The implications of this paper: The use of uncoated paper may be a valid nursing intervention for the prevention of pressure injuries in neurological intensive care unit patients. Nurses should recognize that pressure injuries are potentially preventable adverse events and use various preventive interventions including skin moisture management.