Poster Series:

Thinking Outside the Box: Use of Low Air Loss in the Neonatal and Pediatric Population

Jennifer Lynn Turner, RN, BSN, CWON, and Cindy Demniak, RN, MSN, FNP-CNP

Purpose

The purpose of the project was to identify and develop guidelines for multiple uses of powered low air loss (LAL) within the neonatal and pediatric population at a Magnet Designated Children’s Hospital.


Background

Diaper dermatitis is one of the most common dermatological diagnoses in the neonatal and pediatric population. Diaper dermatitis has been identified in 25% of the general diaper-wearing pediatric population. Alteration in skin integrity can cause physical pain and suffering to the child and mental anguish to the parents. Depending on the severity of the dermatitis and disruption in the skin, increased length of stay and additional financial expense may result.


Objectives

Based on the algorithm outcomes, determination was made if a powered LAL pediatric crib surface was appropriate for integration into the care plan. The CWON and FNP-C led the guideline development initiative with (1) identification of at-risk patients, who would benefit from an alternative support surface, (2) development of guidelines to provide moisture management in the neonatal and pediatric patient population, and (3) development of a patient algorithm to assess the patients’ Braden Q or Neonatal Skin Condition Score and Neonatal Abstinence Score (NAS).

10-Month-Old Male

10-month-old acutely ill with a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary hypertension (Length of Stay 304 Days).
10-month-old patient 1 before low air loss treatment

Post Operative Day: 9

DTI, 9 cm x 3 cm x unknown depth, Etiology: neonatal positioning device
Treatment Plan:

  • Powered low air loss: pulsation mode
  • Cycle time: 3 minutes
  • Silver foam dressing
10-month-old patient 1 during low air loss treatment

Post Operative Day: 29

DTI, 4.5 cm x 0.8 cm x unknown depth

10-month-old patient 1 after low air loss treatment

Post Operative Day: 34 (Resolved DTI)

Patient remained hospitalized for an additional 117 days on the powered low air loss mattress. No additional pressure ulcer development.

4-Month-Old Female

4-month-old with history of Trisomy 16, Double Outlet Right Ventricle, large VSD and PDA with bidirectional shunting, short gut syndrome, Gastroscopy tube, choanal artesian, and bilateral hip dislocation.
4-month-old patient 2 before low air loss treatment

Day of life: 117

Severe perianal dermatitis
Treatment Plan:

  • Powered low air loss: pulsation mode
  • Ph-neutral soap and saline
  • Hydrophilic cream
4-month-old patient 2 before low air loss treatment

Day of Life: 153

Area Improved Visible Scarring 0.75 cm x 0.75 cm

3-Week-Old Female

History of drug withdrawal syndrome (subutex), MRSA colonization, Dietetic gastroenteritis (requiring specialized formula).
3-week-old patient 3 before low air loss treatment

Day of Life: 21

Severe perianal dermatitis
Treatment Plan:

  • Powered low air loss: pulsation mode
    Cycle time: 3 minutes
  • Ph-neutral soap and saline
  • Hydrophilic cream
  • Turn every two hours
3-week-old patient 3 before low air loss treatment

Day of Life: 29
Treatment Plan:

  • Patient discharged to home
  • Continue Ph-neutral soap and saline
  • Hydrophilic cream with each diaper change

NAS Impact

Morphine began day of life 3; stabilization dose of 0.05 mg/kg. Morphine prescribed dose 0.4 mg/ml; frequency taper q3 to q12 hours; complete by day of discharge. Perianal dermatitis resolved in 8 days with initiation of powered low air loss mattress system and adjunctive treatment plan.

Nas Score

Discussion

Integration of the powered LAL pediatric surface was successful with guideline development for primary services that are able to identify at-risk patients and early therapy initiation. Use of the powered LAL pediatric crib surface has steadily increased since inception.

Patients with diagnosed moisture-associated diaper dermatitis demonstrated improved healing times of one week upon initiation of powered LAL therapy. A powered LAL surface has shown to be effective in interrupting the cycle of contributory events leading to diaper dermatitis.

Improved sleep pattern along with a decrease in NAS (from 11-14 to 5-8) have been associated with the integration of powered LAL for patients diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

About the Author

Jennifer Turner
Jennifer has ten years of direct patient care in Level III NICU at a Level 1 Trauma Center in the state which has the highest rate of prescription drug abuse in the nation, and five years providing consultation services for the neonatal and pediatric population with alterations in skin integrity. In addition, Turner was senior nursing instructor for the previous four years and has had abstracts accepted and presented at six national and international wound conferences in the past five years.

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About This Poster

The Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects Research at the West Virginia University protocol 15192944352 approved the study assuring that its design was in agreement with the Declaration of Helsinki and ethical treatment of human subjects.

Sources:

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  6. Lund, C., & Osborne, J., (2004). Validity and Reliability of the Neonatal Skin Condition Score. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing,33,(3), 320–327, doi: 10.1177/088421750426517
  7. Schindler, C., Mikhailov, T., Kuhn, E., Christopher, J., Conway, P., Ridling, D., & … Simpson, V. (2011). Protecting fragile skin: nursing interventions to decrease development of pressure ulcers in pediatric intensive care. American Journal Of Critical Care, 20(1), 26-35 10p. doi:10.4037/ajcc2011754
  8. Ward, D. B., Fleischer, A. B., Feldman, S. R., & Krowchuk, D. P. (2000). Characterization of diaper dermatitis in the united states. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 154(9), 943-946. doi:10.1001/archpedi.154.9.943

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