Epidemiology of care-related skin injuries: prevalence study in Colombia

Abstract

Background: It is important to identify care-related skin injuries (CRSIs) because they influence the quality of life, lead to high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide, and have high economic costs for healthcare systems. Objective: To determine and characterize the prevalence of CRSIs in Colombia in 2016. Methodology: Descriptive cross-sectional period prevalence study. The sample was obtained from 310 online surveys to Colombian nurses. A non-probability sam-pling of consecutive cases was used since all possible cases found during a given period were included. Results: Data were obtained on the prevalence of CR-SIs and metabolic etiology, as well as on the frequency of injuries according to gender, age group, healthcare service, prevention measures, use of topical products, and use of assessment scales. Conclusion: Prevalence studies reveal the current sit-uation with a view to influencing local and national institutional policies on quality care, patient safety, and public health.