Seeing Red: Towards Improving 'Recognition, Documentation and Outcome 'Measurement of Incontinence-associated 'Dermatitis and Intertrigo

This research aims to assess the utility and validate the inter-rater reliability of the new nursing documentation tools for commonly encountered moisture-associated skin damage including (incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) and intertrigo (ITD)) at Valley Regional Hospital.

This is an exploratory study to assess the utility and accuracy of a structured documentation tool for IAD and ITD in hospitals. Current documentation involves a mostly verbal description of the location, size, and general features of the rash. Without a standardized approach to documentation, it can be challenging to accurately evaluate the evolution of the rash and the response to treatment from day to day and from different nurses. The reliability of the documentation tool will be assessed by comparing the results of the bedside assessment tool with that completed by wound care experts using standardized digital live photographs. The utility documentation tool from a nursing perspective will also be assessed using a structured questionnaire. Analysis of digital live photographs using a standard algorithm will be done to determine whether such an analysis can objectively and accurately track the healing of moisture-associated skin damage.