Skin: The Other Organ That Fails in the Critically Ill Patient

Activity Summary

Recent literature and research suggest not all skin injuries in critically ill patients have the etiology of pressure. COVID-19 brought attention to the many alterations in skin integrity that may look like pressure but have a different etiology. Terms like COVID toes began to show up in the literature. This session employs case studies with photographs to illuminate the current literature regarding skin failure and differentiating it from a pressure injury.

Objectives

Explain the pathophysiologic difference between the etiology of pressure injuries and skin failure.
Discuss the current evidence regarding skin failure, Kennedy terminal ulcers and skin changes at life's end.
Differentiate between pressure injuries and skin failure in the clinical setting.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Criteria for Awarding Contact Hours

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

The Nurse Planner has determined that no individuals with the ability to control content of this activity have relevant relationships with ineligible companies.

Activities with pharmacotherapeutic credit are to assist the APRN in fulfilling their education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.