Risk of skin tears and its predictors among hospitalized older adults in Singapore.

AIM

To identify the characteristics that may be predictive of development of risk of skin tears among hospitalized older adults in Singapore.

BACKGROUND

Skin tears are wounds that are partial or full-thickness separation of skin layers, which are common in older adults. Skin tears can result from shearing, friction, and/or blunt force. Skin tears have correlated with prolonged hospitalization, raised health-care costs and poorer quality of life.

METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive correlational study recruited a convenience sample of 140 patients aged 65 years or above from a Singapore acute hospital. A modified International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) Skin Tear Risk Assessment Pathway was used for data collection; this is a validated instrument to assess patients for risks of skin tears in clinical settings.

RESULTS

The results of the multiple linear regression analysis indicated that increasing age, being underweight, caregiver-dependence and dementia predicted higher levels of risk of skin tears among hospitalized older adults in Singapore. These factors accounted for 33.6% of the variance.

CONCLUSION

This study can aid health-care professionals assess patients' risk of skin tears and implement appropriate interventions to minimize risks of skin tears.