Tools for peristomal skin complications assessment: Integrative review

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the tools used to evaluate the peristomal skin complications by an integrative review. Materials and methods: A literature review was performed through the following databases: Virtual Health Library (BVS), PUBMED/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science, from January to February 2018. During the search in the databases, the following descriptors were used: stoma, colostomy, and dermatitis. The keywords were: tools, peristomal skin complication and peristomal skin assessment. Studies were added to the following inclusion criteria: articles published in Portuguese, English or Spanish, full paper access, no time limit and they had to be about tools for peristomal skin complications assessment. Results: The analysis identified the existence of nine tools with different parameters to describe peristomal skin complications. In general, they describe the peristomal skin changes based on classification, the peristomal skin complications or in the present clinical characteristics. The majority of the tools have not tested psychometric measures. Conclusion: Four out of the nine instruments identified have psychometric measures tested. The nurse should be aware and must know the existing valid and reliable tools to describe and classify how grave is the skin issue. This in order to give an accurate diagnosis and to improve the care quality.