Survey of neonatal nurses’ practices and beliefs in relation to skin health

Despite the reported high prevalence of skin damage in neonatal units, little is known regarding assessment and management of neonatal skin. A questionnaire was designed addressing beliefs and practices of participants. This was distributed to neonatal nurses across southern England. In total 56 responses were returned (7% response rate). Incidence of damage was perceived to be high, with 26% of participants reporting that this occurred daily. Skin damage was frequently associated with medical devices, including nasal continuous positive airway pressure, medical tape, and peripheral cannulas. Staff education emerged as a key theme in promoting skin health. However, only 10% of participants had received skin care training. Participants highlighted concerns about the lack of previous research in this area. The results confirm the vulnerability of neonatal skin to medical devices, with participants citing these as the primary cause of damage. Additionally, skin care is constrained by lack of training and resources.