Skin Tear Management: A Multidisciplinary Education Project

OBJECTIVETo identify the number of skin tears present at the authors' facility and evaluate a multidisciplinary educational intervention to support treatment of skin tears.METHODSThe authors determined the prevalence of skin tears from an analysis of a wound audit dataset at Baycrest Health Sciences and compared it with the literature to inform the aims of the educational intervention. They developed an educational module and presented it to physicians and students at separate in-person sessions and to clinical care staff at a virtual session. Participants completed an evaluation survey after the education sessions to assess their knowledge and confidence with skin tear management and obtain their feedback about the session.RESULTSThe prevalence of skin tears at Baycrest hospital was 5.6%, which was low compared with the values reported in the literature. For the 10 studies reviewed, the median prevalence was 8.8% (range, 3.0%-22.1%). A total of 7 physicians, 12 students, and 7 clinical care staff completed the evaluation survey. All of the physicians (100%), 43% of students, and 57% of clinical care staff could classify an image of a skin tear; 86% of physicians, 33% of students, and 43% of clinical care staff identified the correct skin tear complications; and 71% of physicians, 0% of the students, and 29% of clinical care staff selected the appropriate dressing. Participants reported moderate to considerable increases in knowledge and confidence in skin tear management.CONCLUSIONSThis method of multidisciplinary teaching on skin tears was well received and useful in enhancing knowledge and confidence in identifying and treating skin tears.