Skin Care Protocol/Assessments

[rpsychnurse]

Hey all! I've been the charge nurse for a 50 be LTC facility for about 6 months. I've finally gotten into the swing of things - I think- and I'm starting to implement and/or re-evaluate some of our care.

So- my question is- how do you carry out skin care and skin assessments in your facility? Right now the nurses aren't really involved unless there is a problem or wound. The aides choose basic lotions and barrier creams as needed and call on us if there is anything abnormal. This is great but I'm worried our prevention isn't the best it could be. So I've been thinking about developing some sort o protocol and/or skin assessment schedule for all the residents. What do you all do for this or am I overthinking it?

Any advice/thoughts/experiences would be greatly appreciated!

[bethann27]

Weekly skin assessment by the charge nurse is routine. That way preventive tx can be implemented. The skin checks should ideally be on the TAR.

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

Weekly skin assessments by nurses on shower days. Skin checked at admission and all issues id'd. CNAs are to use lotion and barrier cream on all incont residents. Our skin checks are on the TAR too. If CNAs miss telling nurses about new areas or concerns, they are at least getting the nurse to check once a week.