Skin hydration in nursing home residents: an interventional study to compare traditional versus disposable bed bath
Inge Tency
Odisee University College
Inge Tency graduated as a midwife (1999). Subsequently, she started a master in Medical Social Science, option health education and promotion at Ghent University (2002) and obtained a teaching certificate (2003). She combined her studies with a job as midwife and became a scientific collaborator of the skills lab at the faculty of medicine of Ghent University. In 2005 she leaved clinical practice and worked on diverse scientific projects at the Women’s Clinic of Ghent University Hospital. In June 2013 she defended her PhD on “Inflammatory response in maternal serum during preterm labor”. Currently she works as a lecturer and researcher at the Midwifery and Nursing Department at Odisee University College (Sint-Niklaas, Belgium). Inge is interested in the following research domains: preterm birth, abortions, spontaneous miscarriage, female genital mutilation, postpartum, involvement of partners, mobile health, telemonitoring, online health care and support, sense of coherence, quality of live and person-centered care.
Abstract
Background Dry skin or xerosis is a common problem in elderly, therefore skin care is essential to their well-being. Traditional washing with water and soap is still standard of care, but increasingly replaced by disposable... [ view full abstract ]
Background
Dry skin or xerosis is a common problem in elderly, therefore skin care is essential to their well-being. Traditional washing with water and soap is still standard of care, but increasingly replaced by disposable wash gloves with cleansing lotion. However, there is a lack of evidence on the effect of disposable wash gloves on skin hydration.
Aims and objectives
The objective of this study was to compare the effect of two washing methods (traditional versus disposable bed bath) on skin hydration at stratum cornea level in nursing home residents.
Method
We've conducted an interventional study in which 145 residents from two nursing homes were divided into two groups: 40 residents received the traditional washing method (control group), while disposable wash gloves were provided to 105 residents (intervention group). Skin hydration was measured using a MoistureMeter SC at three skin sites (cheek, hand and lower leg) at two time points (before and after 12 weeks of implementation) and reported in arbitrary units (AU). Residents characteristics, bath practices as well as environmental influences were recorded. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of AZ Sint-Niklaas hospital (Belgium, EC14045). After an information session, residents or their legal representatives provided written informed consent.
Findings
The mean age of the residents was 85.5 years. No differences were observed in personal characteristics between both groups. Significantly more residents in the control group had a weekly bath (p=0.02) and used liquid soap (p<0.001). The mean room temperature was significantly higher in the control group, while humidity was lower. Total skin hydration did not differ between residents at the start of the study in both groups (p=0.21). After implementation, hydration in the intervention group was significantly higher at all skin sites and total skin (p<0.001). In both groups the percentage of residents with dry skin at the legs decreased, but this was higher in the control (14%) versus intervention group (9%)(p<0.05).
Conclusions and implications
The use of disposable wash gloves in nursing homes can improve quality of care, thereby reducing the risk of dry skin. However, additional skincare and hydration of the legs still needs attention.
Authors
-
Inge Tency
(Odisee University College)
-
Katrin Gillis
(Odisee University College)
-
Dirk Lips
(Curando vzw)
Topic Area
Adult Healthcare
Session
OP-1 » Care of the Older Person (10:30 - Wednesday, 4th November, Seminar Room 1.24)
Presentation Files
The presenter has not uploaded any presentation files.
