Gerontology & Geriatric Research

COMPARING VISUAL AND OBJECTIVE SKIN ASSESSMENT WITH PRESSURE INJURY RISK

5^th International Conference on Geriatric Medicine & Gerontological Nursing

November 14-15, 2016 | Atlanta, USA

Caroline J. Borzdynski, William McGuiness and Charne Miller

La Trobe University, Australia
Alred Health, Australia

Accepted Abstracts: J Gerontol Geriat Res

Abstract:

There are biophysical devices with the capacity to determine various pressure injury (PI) related skin parameters, such as hydration, colour (melanin and erythema) and lipids. This pilot study used a descriptive-correlational design to examine correlations between subjective (visual) assessment of skin hydration (dryness and wetness) and colour, as well as objective (parametric) assessment of skin hydration, colour and lipids at PI-prone areas amongst geriatric persons (n = 38). Twice daily measures of hydration, colour and lipids were assessed using a skin measuring device over pressure-prone areas of study participants over seven consecutive days. Concurrent visual assessment of hydration and colour was performed by the researcher. Results were examined for their association with participants PI risk as measured against the Norton Risk Assessment Scale. While hydration and colour scores did not vary significantly over the course of data collection, lipids could not be registered on any occasion. With the exception of skin dryness, skin parameters obtained via objective and subjective means were positively correlated. Statistically significant correlations emerged between visual assessment of skin wetness at the sacrum (r = �??0.441, P < 0.05). Findings indicate that objective measures of erythema may provide an advantage over traditional clinician assessment.