Skin care team in the pediatric intensive care unit: a model for excellence.

CRITICALCARENURSE Vol 28, No. 2, APRIL 2008 125 risk associated with altered skin integrity for critically ill children. Immature bowel and bladder control and large heads are inevitable contributory risk factors specific to children. Concomitant pain and altered appearance are physical and emotional burdens for patients and families already experiencing stress associated with hospitalization in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Pressure ulcers have an incidence of 7% and a prevalence of 7% among acutely ill children. The occurrence of pressure ulcers is associated with nutritional status, mobility, and level of consciousness. In infants and young children, pressure ulcers occur most often on the head and heels. Noonan et al reported a 27% incidence of pressure ulcers, of which 32% of the more significant ulcers involved the head. Fifty-seven percent of all ulcers were detected during the Tracy Ann Pasek, RN, MSN, CCRN Amanda Geyser, RN, BSN Maria Sidoni, RN, BSN Patricia Harris, RN, BSN, CCRN, CWOCN, CCTN Julia A. Warner, RN, CWOCN, CFCN Ann Spence, RN, MS Allison Trent, RN, BSN, WOCN Libby Lazzaro, RN, BSN Julianne Balach, RN Alicia Bakota, RN, BSN Shana Weicheck, RN, BSN Skin Care Team in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Model for Excellence Pediatric Care