Prevalence of neonate adhesive skin injuries in a Jordanian intensive care unit.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of adhesive skin injuries in neonates in a Jordanian neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to examine the characteristics of neonates with these injuries.

METHOD: A cross-sectional period-prevalence study was conducted in a NICU in Irbid National University Hospital in Jordan. A total of 169 neonates were examined for skin injuries caused by adhesive equipment.

RESULTS: The prevalence of skin injuries in this population was 26.6%. The injuries were located mostly on the face, arms, hands and chest, and were caused by endotracheal tubes, intravenous cannulae, fixation of nasogastric tubes and electrodes. Neonates with skin injuries were more likely to be preterm and underweight, to have respiratory problems and to have been connected to a mechanical ventilator.

CONCLUSION: Adhesive skin injuries were found in more than one quarter of the neonates in this NICU and healthcare service providers should endeavour to minimise the occurrence of these injuries.