Background: Incontinence‐associated dermatitis (IAD) is a prevalent cause of skin damage in clinical settings, with incident rates as high as 36% in critical settings. Damage to the skin may cause cauterization, pruritus and pain, and IAD is an increasingly prominent cause of secondary infections, which prolong hospitalization times and increase healthcare costs.Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and predicting factors of incontinenceassociated dermatitis among intensive care unit (ICU) patients.Methods: This was a cross‐sectional observational study that used the Braden scale, Barthel scale, and perineal assessment tool (PAT) to collect data via direct observation of participants' skin in critical settings.Results: A total of 171 patients were surveyed. IAD prevalence was 26.32%, with 91.11% of IAD incidences occurring during hospitalization. The anus was the most prevalent IAD site. The statistically significant risk factors for IAD included cardiovascular disease, antibiotics usage, urinary and/or fecal incontinence, type of stool passage, hypoalbuminemia, lower Braden scale score, and higher perineal assessment tool (PAT) score. Logistic regression supported that lower Braden scale scores and higher PAT scores were effective predictors of IAD prevalence.Conclusion / Implications for Practice: This study provides guidelines for the future formulation of preventive measures for IAD, especially for critical‐care patients.
Background: Incontinence‐associated dermatitis (IAD) is a prevalent cause of skin damage in clinical settings, with incident rates as high as 36% in critical settings. Damage to the skin may cause cauterization, pruritus and pain, and IAD is an increasingly prominent cause of secondary infections, which prolong hospitalization times and increase healthcare costs.Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and predicting factors of incontinenceassociated dermatitis among intensive care unit (ICU) patients.Methods: This was a cross‐sectional observational study that used the Braden scale, Barthel scale, and perineal assessment tool (PAT) to collect data via direct observation of participants' skin in critical settings.Results: A total of 171 patients were surveyed. IAD prevalence was 26.32%, with 91.11% of IAD incidences occurring during hospitalization. The anus was the most prevalent IAD site. The statistically significant risk factors for IAD included cardiovascular disease, antibiotics usage, urinary and/or fecal incontinence, type of stool passage, hypoalbuminemia, lower Braden scale score, and higher perineal assessment tool (PAT) score. Logistic regression supported that lower Braden scale scores and higher PAT scores were effective predictors of IAD prevalence.Conclusion / Implications for Practice: This study provides guidelines for the future formulation of preventive measures for IAD, especially for critical‐care patients.