Skin Integrity

My unit is in the same boat. We are starting the NDNQI pressure sore audits next week. In the training, It stated that the Neonatal Skin Risk Assessment score could be used for looking to see if infants are at risk. It works like the PIPP pain score/apgar scoring. It looks at gestational age, type of bedding equipment ie, Radiant Warmer, Double walled isolette, crib, Nutrition and several other things.

I would like to know what other units are doing to assess skin risk assessments and what tool they are using. How hard was it to implement to staff? Feedback from staff after starting tool?

Kathy

We are going to the Braden Neonatal Skin Assessment...like the poster above said, it is a numbered scale, very similar to the adults Braden.

My unit is in the same boat. We are starting the NDNQI pressure sore audits next week. In the training, It stated that the Neonatal Skin Risk Assessment score could be used for looking to see if infants are at risk. It works like the PIPP pain score/apgar scoring. It looks at gestational age, type of bedding equipment ie, Radiant Warmer, Double walled isolette, crib, Nutrition and several other things.

I would like to know what other units are doing to assess skin risk assessments and what tool they are using. How hard was it to implement to staff? Feedback from staff after starting tool?

Kathy

Our unit actually doesn't use this assessment at all.

There are a few things that I have been taught to do to protect skin integrity.

We have been told to not use iodine-based products on any baby unless it's full term (over 36 weeks) because it is so irritating to the skin.

We use Allcare on all IV's under the dressings.

No adhesive is removed without adhesive remover and the skin is wiped and dried with sterile water to remove traces of the solution.

Position changes are performed q3 or q4, depending on the feeding schedule. Our vent babies positions are changed q6.