Skin tears in nursing practice – preventive measures based on risk factor assessment

Introduction: Skin tears (ST) are defined as traumatic wounds caused by mechanical forces (shearing, friction, and/or blunt trauma, including the removal of medical adhesives). They are most commonly observed in elderly individuals with chronic comorbidities, in critical condition, or at the end of life.Aim of the study: To identify the best nursing and therapeutic practices undertaken by nurses to prevent ST based on risk factors identified in clinical research.Material and methods: The study involved a review of the literature based on original research concerning traumatic skin injuries. The following databases were searched: Medline (EBSCO), Medline (PubMed), and Web of Science. The search criteria included the keywords: skin tear, risk factors, frequency, and prevalence.Results: The analysis of research studies identified the following major risk factors for the occurrence of ST: advanced age and related changes in skin properties (loss of elasticity, dryness, and increased susceptibility to injuries), the presence of vascular changes (petechiae, senile purpura, hematomas), malnutrition, dependency on caregiver support, falls, and a history of previous skin tears. Reducing the occurrence of ST is achievable through highly qualified and experienced medical staff, comprehensive clinical assessments of patient risk, systematic skin monitoring and care, attention to the patient’s environment, and caregiver education.Conclusions: Understanding and identifying the risk factors for ST are critical for effective management of these skin injuries and for improving the quality of healthcare. The implementation of preventive strategies and educational activities based on scientific evidence is essential for reducing the frequency and severity of ST in clinical practice.