Improving knowledge of continence care to prevent skin damage associated with incontinence

The impact of pressure ulceration on patient quality of life can be catastrophic, as a result of the pain experienced, distress, depression and delayed recovery, (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 2022). Severe pressure ulcers (PUs) may lead to sepsis, renal failure and death (Berlowitz and Brienza, 2007; Sari et al, 2015). In addition, the financial burden to healthcare services is great, with the daily cost of managing PUs in the NHS estimated to be £3.8 million (NHS Improvement 2018a).

Older people are at an increased risk of developing PUs, due to factors such as: hip fractures, reduced mobility, dry skin, long-term conditions and faecal and urinary incontinence (Banharak et al, 2021; Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 2022). Furthermore, older people are at an increased risk of developing incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), a type of moisture-associated skin damage (MASD), which presents as redness or partial-thickness skin erosion (Gray et al, 2007). This occurs because prolonged exposure to moisture due to incontinence leads to increased permeability of the skin, reduced skin barrier function, increased skin alkalinity and inflammation (Morris, 2011). It has also been established that there is a link between IAD and the subsequent development of PUs (Beeckman, 2017).