[Reducing the Incidence of Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injuries in Premature Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit].

BACKGROUND & PROBLEMS: During the stay of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit, their important tubes must be fixed to the skin with medical adhesive products to ensure they remain securely emplaced. However, premature infants have immature skin development and are particularly prone to medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSI), with related incidence rates reaching as high as 47.4% in our unit. PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to improve nurses' handling of medical adhesive products and the accuracy of their knowledge regarding MARSI in premature infants with the goal of reducing the incidence of MARSI in this patient population. RESOLUTIONS: A care guide manual and step-by-step diagram for using medical adhesive products were produced to provide nurses with a reference during the care process. Also, skin protection products were prepositioned to facilitate their correct usage, educational training was held, and a specialist assessment mechanism was established to improve the care capabilities and care quality of nurses. RESULTS: One month after the project was launched, the accuracy rate in using medical adhesive products increased to 98.4%, the accuracy rate in recognizing MARSI in premature infants increased to 93.6%, and the incidence of MARSI in premature infants decreased from 47.4% to 2.9%. CONCLUSIONS: This project effectively improved clinical operations, facilitated the completion of standard operating procedures, enhanced nursing capabilities and the quality of care provided to premature infants, and, as a result, ensured the provision to premature infants of more complete and safer care.