Skin Tear Prevention Campaign
Project period: 2021–ongoing
Since the inception of the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) in 2011 there is an emerging body of evidence to support the prevention, assessment and management of skin tears. Early recognition of people who are at risk of developing skin tears is an essential part of prevention and is vital to minimising incidence of avoidable skin tears.
In light of this, ISTAP and EWMA seeks to increase awareness about skin tear prevention through this joint effort.
EWMA, ISTAP and industry partners work together to organise a series of Skin Tear Prevention activities including a webinar series commencing in early 2022.
Below you can find additional information about the project working group and current activities included in the awareness campaign. Additional activities may be added later.
Webinar Series: The science and practice of skin tears
EWMA and ISTAP have completed a two-part webinar series that focus on skin tear prevention under the series' title The science and practice of skin tears. Both webinars are now available on-demand-
The science and practice of skin tears - webinar 1
The webinar is on demand. Watch it here.
Moderators: Samantha Holloway and Kim LeBlanc.
Topics & Speakers
- The etiology and pathogenesis of skin tears by Jan Kottner
- Pronation and the risk of skin tears (including prevention) by Julia Bresnai Harris
- Pain and skin tears by Hubert Vuagnat
- Knowledge translation into practice: Practice tips for using the ISTAP Skin Tear Algorithm in daily practice (case discussions) by Heidi Hevia Campos
- PRONEtect Practice Guidance Document - Skin Care Considerations for the Patient in the Prone Position by Anika Fourie
The science and practice of skin tears - webinar 2
The webinar is on demand. Watch it here.
Moderator: Dimitri Beeckman and Salvacion Cruz
Topics & Speakers
- Control of infection in skin tears by Karen Ousey
- Protection of the peri-wound area by Kim LeBlanc
- Knowledge translation into practice 1 - Practice tips for using the ISTAP Skin Tear Algorithm in daily practice (case discussions) by Steven Smet
- Knowledge translation into practice 2 - Disseminating Best Practice Recommendations: The German Experience by Kerstin Protz
- PRONEtect Practice Guidance Document - Skin Care Considerations for the Patient in the Prone Position by Anika Fourie
Journal of Wound Management Special Issue
In May 2022 the Journal of Wound Management will publish a special issue focusing on recent advances in risk assessment, prevention, and treatment of skin tears.
You can read more about the JOWM special issue on skin tears here
The link will provide you with a more comprehensive description of the special issue. Submission of papers is open untill 15 November 2021.
- Samantha Holloway, United Kingdom
Reader and Programme Director, (MSc in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair) Centre for Medical Education, School of Medicine, College of Life and Biomedical Sciences at the Cardiff University, EWMA Council member and Chair of EWMA Education Committee and Teacher Network, EWMA Council member, ISTAP Board member (president elect)
- Dimitri Beeckman, Belgium
Professor of Skin Integrity and Clinical Nursing at Ghent University, holds visiting professorships at the University of Surrey (UK), the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Ireland), the University of Southern Denmark (Denmark), and Örebro University (Sweden), EWMA Council member, ISTAP Board member (president)
- Kerstin Protz, Germany
Project manager of wound research at University Medical Center of Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany and self-employed author, wound care counsellor and lecturer, EWMA Councill member
- Hubert Vuagnat, Switzerland
MD, Head of Division, Board member of the World Alliance for Wound and Lymphedema Care, Head of the University Hospitals of Geneva Interdisciplinary Wound Care Team, Doctors without borders, senior advisor on advanced woundcare, EWMA Councill member
The ISTAP-EWMA Skin Tear Prevention Campaign project is supported with an unrestricted grants by:
