Transcript CareGiver Wound Care Lecture - Association For The Advancement

Skin Care for the Caregiver
Philadelphia 2011
Association for the Advancement of
Wound Care
Why Are We Here?
To better understand human skin
Learn what factors effect skin
Learn how to identify skin damage
Learn how to care for & protect skin
Our Targets
Skin is essential
• Forms a barrier - prevents harmful substances
and microorganisms from entering the body.
• Protects body tissues against injury.
• Controls the loss of life-sustaining fluids like
blood and water.
• Helps regulate body temperature through
perspiration.
• Protects from the sun's damaging ultraviolet
rays.
Skin
• Largest organ of the body
• Every square inch of skin contains thousands of
cells and hundreds of sweat glands, oil glands,
nerve endings, and blood vessels.
• Skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis,
dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue.
Epidermis Layer
Epidermis
• Epidermis is the tough, protective outer layer
– It's about as thick as a sheet of paper over most parts
of the body
• It has layers of cells that are constantly flaking off
and being renewed
• Cells are completely replaced about every 28 days
• Minor cuts and scrapes heal quickly
Dermis
Dermis
• Dermis – 2nd layer of skin. It contains:
– blood vessels, nerve endings, and connective tissue
• connective tissue comprised of collagen and elastin
– helps skin stretch when we bend & reposition when
we straighten up
– in older people, elastin degenerate - one reason why
the skin looks wrinkled
– sebaceous glands - produce the oil sebum that
lubricates the skin and hair
• sebum producion slow w/ age - contributes to dry skin
Subcutaneous Layer
Subcutaneous Tissue
• Subcutaneous tissue, is made up of connective
tissue, sweat glands, blood vessels, and cells that
store fat.
• Layer helps protect the body from blows and other
injuries and helps it hold in body heat
What Are the Risks to Skin
• Elderly skin changes – gets dryer, fat layer thin out
that protects underlying structures
• Moisture……. damages skin
• Urine/ Feces……erodes skin
• Pressure……. decreases blood flow and tissue dies
Risk Factors
Incontinence
Urine and/or
fecal
Pressure Points
Pressure Points
Pressure Points
Tissue Damage
• Insufficient amounts of oxygen and nutrients
delivered to skin
tissue will become
damaged
• When ‘pressure’ compresses blood vessels in
the tissues and decreases oxygen/nutrients –
the tissue damage is know as a pressure ulcer
Stage I Pressure Ulcer
Stage I - Intact skin with non-blanchable redness of a localized area usually
over a bony prominence. Darkly pigmented skin may not have visible
blanching; its color may differ from the surrounding area.
Stage I
Stage II Pressure Ulcer
Stage II - Partial thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer
with a red pink wound bed, without slough. May also present as an intact or
open/ruptured serum-filled blister.
Stage II
Stage III Pressure Ulcer
Stage III - Full thickness tissue loss. Subcutaneous fat may be visible but bone,
tendon or muscle are not exposed. Slough may be present but does not
obscure the depth of tissue loss. May include undermining and tunneling.
Stage III
Stage IV Pressure Ulcer
Stage IV - Full thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon or
muscle. Slough or eschar may be present on some parts of the wound
bed. Often include undermining and tunneling.
Stage IV
Tissue Damage Progresses
Skin Tears
Skin Erosion Due to Incontinence
Care Issues
• Properly position and frequently turn patient off
of pressure points
• Use pressure relieving devices, as needed
• Protect fragile skin w/ protective dressings or
protective materials
• Keep skin moisturized
• Cleans skin w/with non-toxic cleansers
• Protect skin exposed to incontinence w/ skin
protective barriers and creams
Positioning
Positioning
Pressure Relief
Pressure Reduction Overlay
Pressure Reduction Overlay
Alternating Pressure Mattress
Pressure Relief
Skin Tear Protection
Pressure Relief
Wound Care
• Ensure hands are cleanse before changing
dressings
• Use only sterile products, as ordered by
physician
• Use dressing appropraitely to provide a moist
healing environment:
– Wide variety of dressing types: e.g. hydrocolloids,
foams, antimicrobial dressings, hydrogels, specialty
absorptive dressings, collagen, etc.
Summary
• You are essential
• You can identify early
pressure ulcer development and help avoid
progression of skin damage
• You can be the ‘eyes’ for the clinician and warn
them of early changes to skin integrity