Validity of pressure ulcer diagnosis using digital photography.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of digital photographs for the assessment of the presence of pressure ulcers stage 2 or higher. Participants were 48 patients (28 white and 20 black) with pressure ulcers identified in the course of a wound specialist's routine clinical practice at the University of Maryland Medical Center. One pressure ulcer and one unaffected skin area were photographed on each participating patient.

Beyond "diaper rash": Incontinence-associated dermatitis: does it have you seeing red?

Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) results from frequent exposure to urine or feces. Consistent preventive skin care or treatment may reduce the incidence of IAD. The authors propose using an IAD classification and intervention tool (IADIT) to make detecting and treating IAD easier and more consistent.

Prevalence of incontinence and associated skin injury in the acute care inpatient.

Purpose: We examined the prevalence of incontinence and skin injury in areas exposed to incontinence among inpatients at 2 hospitals.

Subjects And Setting: Acute care patients in medical, surgical, and intensive care units at a community and teaching hospital were surveyed to determine the rates of urinary and fecal incontinence and the prevalence of incontinence-associated dermatitis or skin ulceration.

Instrument: A data collection form that queried patient characteristics was completed.