Abstract
Moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) is characterized by inflammation of the skin with or without erosion of the skin caused by prolonged exposure to various sources of moisture including urine or stool, perspiration, wound exudate, or mucus. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine the prevalence of MASD at a teaching hospital in the Midwestern United States. Data were collected quarterly over a period of 12 months concurrently with the quarterly Pressure Ulcer Prevalence Survey (PUPS). The PUPS team comprises 40 RNs; 20 of whom are Skin Care Champions with training in skin care and pressure injury prevention. Patients' skin was assessed from head to toe; in addition to assessing for pressure injuries, a data collection form developed by WOC nurse was also filled out by the PUPS team nurses for patients identified as having MASD. We assessed anatomic location of MASD and treatment in use at the time of assessment. The prevalence of MASD was 4.34% (62 out of 1427 patients), and the prevalence of incontinence-associated dermatitis was 1.54% (22 out of 1427 patients).