Checking the Skin for Risk Factors

ConvaTec Skin Care Product

It is important to look for risk factors that can lead to skin problems such as pressure ulcers.

These risk factors are listed below.

Risk Factors

• Pressure
• Shear/friction
• Too much moisture
• Dryness
• Nutrition
•  

Skin that remains under pressure may develop pressure ulcers in as little as 2 hours. In particular, a bone that pushes against the skin (bony prominence) is more likely to cause injury. Continuous pressure on any soft parts of the body (tissue) may lead to the development of pressure ulcers as well.¹

Other Sources

In addition to the factors listed above, there are others that may put a patient at risk for the development of pressure ulcers⁵ Some of these can be determined by using special scales. The ones used most often by health care professionals are called the Braden and Norton scales. The Braden and Norton scales can also identify risk factors such as a patient's ability to move around (mobility) or feel pain (sensory perception), which may also have an impact on how ulcers develop.⁶

1. Revis DR, Caffee HH. Pressure ulcers, nonsurgical treatment and principles. February 14, 2006. eMedicine Web site. http://www.emedicine.com. Accessed October 15, 2007.
2. Moreau D, ed dir; Philadelphia Publishing Company Staff, eds. Wound Care Made Incredibly Easy. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2003:14-229.
3. CMS Manual System Pub 100-07: State Operations Provider Certification. Transmittal 4. November 12, 2004. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Web site. http://www.cms.hhs.gov. Accessed October 15, 2007.
4. Gray M, Ratliff C, Donovan A. Perineal skin care for the incontinent patient. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2002 Jul/Aug;15[4]:170-178.
5. Clinical Practice Guideline Number 15: Treatment of Pressure Ulcers. Rockville, Md: US Dept of Health and Human Services, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research; 1994. AHCPR publication 95-0652.
6. Clinical Practice Guideline Number 3: Pressure Ulcers in Adults: Prediction and Prevention. Rockville, Md: US Dept of Health and Human Services, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research; 1992. AHCPR publication 92-0047.