None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The hypothesis for this study is to show that the twice-daily application of a barrier wipe can reduce the incidence of pressure injuries. Studies highlight that pressure injuries (PI) are a healthcare quality indicator and that healthcare workers need to expand their knowledge to adequately manage these wounds using the latest evidence-based information. A focus on prophylactic dressings applied to patients’ skin to prevent PIs has gained some traction in recent years to avoiding PIs however it is often referred to as an adjunct therapy with more studies to prevent PIs needing to be done. Based on the above a new way to prevent pressure injuries needs to be studies. The hypothesis for this study is to show that the twice-daily application of a barrier wipe can reduce the incidence of pressure injuries.
Interventions
Application of a twice daily barrier wipe to the heels , sacrum and buttocks of participants living in aged care homes. Application takes approximately 2 minutes to apply.
The intervention in this study is the use of a barrier wipe applied twice daily to the participants skin in conjunction with usual care. The barrier wipe will be applied to the heel, sacrum, and buttock areas after bathing in the morning and before retiring at night. These products will be distributed to the Residential Aged
Application of a twice daily barrier wipe to the heels , sacrum and buttocks of participants living in aged care homes. Application takes approximately 2 minutes to apply. The intervention in this study is the use of a barrier wipe applied twice daily to the participants skin in conjunction with usual care. The barrier wipe will be applied to the heel, sacrum, and buttock areas after bathing in the morning and before retiring at night. These products will be distributed to the Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) at the commencement of the study and monitored for re-stocking by the service managers weekly. The barrier wipe that has been selected is based on best fit for aged skin as per the listed ingredients and will be pH neutral as recommended for this age group. Barrier wipes will have the following characteristics: • Dermatologically tested • Lanolin free • Skin neutral pH • Contain dimethicone • Long lasting • Hypoallergenic • Non-cytotoxic • Alcohol free, sting free. Barrier wipes will be used with an aim to provide a standard and consistent approach to the minimum application of a twice daily use - 3 wipes will be used per participant, per application. The trial will continue for 8 months. Using barrier wipes assists in the assessment of compliance with the compliance (fidelity) as wipe usage can be easily measured by counting the amount used and distributed. The intervention trial has been informed by reviewing the available literature and noting a gap in the prevention of pressure injuries. Education and training will be provided via Microsoft teams and face to face (20min sessions) to all facilities and their staff, as well as participants on the application of the product, what to do should any adverse reactions occur and who to contact for further questions. Care staff within each service will deliver the procedure as this is part of participant care as standard practice. Training will be provided monthly by the investigators.
Sponsors
University of Newcastle
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
• 65 years or older at the time of consent • Living in a RACF • Limited mobility defined as being able to stand to pivot transfer or less • Ability to provide informed consent or informed consent obtained from the legal person responsible • Those defined at risk for pressure injuries based off Waterlow scores -a score of 10 or higher (pressure injury risk assessment tool).
Exclusion criteria
• Below 65 years old • Any person with a current pressure injury to heels, buttocks, or sacrum. The reason for this is due to the inability to apply barrier wipes to a wound such as a PI. • Not living in an enrolled RACF • Those who are palliating and at end of life • Those with sensitivities or allergies to any ingredients in the barrier wipe • Those that are fully mobile or able to weight bear and mobilise and able to walk more than a metre. The rationale for this is that people who are fully mobile are at less risk for PIs.
Outcome results
None listed