LAUSR

Purpose/Aim: To evaluate a collaborative skin assessment intervention between respiratory therapists and registered nurses. Design: A quality improvement design was used to determine feasibility of a collaborative skin assessment. Methods: The collaborative skin assessment intervention included skin assessments, documentation of findings, and use of a treatment guideline for patients using a respiratory care device. Perceptions of the collaborative intervention and pressure injury numbers were measured after a 2-month intervention period. Results: Respiratory therapists and registered nurses reported satisfaction with the collaborative intervention; stating it was best practice and could prevent respiratory care device–related pressure injuries. However, timing the skin assessment together was difficult. One device-related pressure injury occurred during the intervention period. Conclusions: Respiratory therapists and nurses should partner to perform skin assessments under respiratory devices each shift and develop a plan of care to prevent skin injury. Protocol orders to prevent and treat skin alterations found under respiratory care devices and a dedicated area in the medical record to document skin assessments may be helpful to support efforts to prevent injuries. Additionally, as a result of these efforts, pressure injuries specific to endotracheal tubes declined greater than 50% in 2 critical care units in the year following this quality improvement project.