Best Practice Recommendations for the Prevention & Management of Skin Tears in Aged Skin (2nd Edition)
Summary: The International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP), in collaboration with NSWOCC (Canada) and WOCN (USA), has released the 2025 update to its guidance on skin tears in aged skin. These recommendations include revised definitions, new tools for assessment, classification and data collection, and enhanced prevention & management strategies informed by recent evidence.
Key Highlights:
- ISTAP DC-Tool developed: A validated data-collection tool (22 questions) to capture detailed info on patient/resident characteristics, skin tear features, and clinical context. Useful for research and quality improvement.
- Updated definitions and classification: Skin tears continue to be defined as traumatic wounds from mechanical forces, not extending through subcutaneous tissue. Classification and decision-algorithms are refined.
- Risk factors clarified: Fragile aged skin, comorbidities, cognitive impairment (including dementia), skin tone, and environmental/handling-related risks are emphasised.
- Prevention strategies strengthened: Using pH-balanced cleansers, frequent moisturisation, gentle handling, minimizing exposure to friction/shear, avoiding aggressive adhesives, and attention to skin tone in assessments.
- Treatment & management: Preserve the skin flap, avoid stretching; use non-adherent, silicone or gentle dressings; ensure atraumatic care and secure but gentle adhesion; manage exudate and maintain moisture balance.
- Inclusivity & awareness: New guidance considers differences in presentation and care in darker skin tones; tools and visuals are adapted for inclusivity.
Read the full 2nd Edition on Wounds International
Keywords:
skin tears,
ISTAP DC-Tool,
aged skin,
skin tone,
prevention strategies,
gentle dressings