Skin Dressings Versus Lubrication to Prevent Pressure Ulcers: A Randomized Trial

Impact of Skin Dressings Compared With Cream for Skin Lubrication in the Prevention of Pressure Ulcers in Patients at High or Very High Risk: A Multicenter Randomized Trial

Study purpose:

To assess if - in adult patients admitted to hospital with surgical or medical conditions at high/very high risk of developing pressure ulcers (PU) according to Braden scale - using skin dressing protection versus conventional care (lubricant or moisturizer cream) may prevent the incidence of in-hospital PU

Participants will receive, in addition to the experimental/control interventions, background skin care measures, including anti- bedsore mattresses; body position changes every two hours, and shear/friction reduction.

Trained nurses will review all participants' charts and verify any report of PU until the first ambulation, discharge or death. Patients with a verified PU are referred to the institutional wound care group.

For the purpose of outcome adjudication, study personnel will email digital pictures to 2 independent, blinded outcome assessors (experts in skin care). Skin lesions will be rated in 4-level scale (EPUAP/NPUAP). In case of disagreement, a single, independent referee will confirm the presence/absence of any potential PU.

The unit for analysis will be patients developing (first occurrence, in a time-to-event analysis) PUs in the areas covered by the interventions.

See further details on eligibility, interventions and study outcomes below

Inpatients will be eligible if meeting two criteria:

• Intact skin on hospital admission
• High/very high risk of PU (Braden´s scale ≤ 20 points) will be eligible.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Treating physician disagree with participation
• Need for chronic use of diapers