Skin Tears
Risk Assessment
Early recognition of individuals who are at risk of skin tears is essential to prevention. By following a skin tear risk assessment pathway, clinicians can prevent a patient’s skin tear from becoming a more complex, chronic wound.
SKIN TEAR RISK ASSESSMENT
Patient – Wound – Enviroment
RISK CATEGORIES
Skin
Extremes of age, dry and fragile skin,
previous skin tear.
Mobility
History of falls, impaired mobility, dependence on assistance for activities, mechanical trauma.
General Health
Comorbidities, polypharmacy,
impaired cognition and malnutrition.
AT RISK
If a patient has ANY identified risk factors
YES
Implement a risk reduction
programme checklist
NO
Reassess when a patient’s
condition changes
Useful videos:
How to apply & remove dressings
ISTAP risk assessment
Prevention strategies
Useful articles:
Skin tear risk assessment – Download this article
A guide to the aeitiology, prevalence, prevention, assessment and management of skin tears
A skin tear pathway in line with ISTAP recommendations
Disclaimer:
Please note that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the content presented, it is purely for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.