Date of Award

Spring 5-23-2020

Document Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Joseph Burkard, DNSc, CRNA

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to evaluate the impact of a healthcare provider-led standardized dry skin protocol for outpatient geriatric patients to promote overall well-being and improve quality of life.

Background: Current literature supports using the dry skin protocol to help primary care teams identify patients that require xerosis cutis skin care, particularly of the lower extremities. The primary focus of this project will be timely detection of patients with the dry skin condition that will be identified with the standardized Overall Dry Skin (ODS) scale. When the patient meets the ODS criteria, a timely discussion will be held to review the protocol moisturizer treatment and goal of skin care with the patients.

Process: This evidence-based project was built on the Iowa Model in an outpatient setting. A small team of healthcare providers led by an advanced practice nurse are (a) educating patients in the primary clinic setting on what to expect before, during and after their xerosis cutis treatment; (b) written education materials related to their dry skin; and (c) conducting a survey via telephone to the patients at post 2 weeks and post 4 weeks of treatment. Phone communications are guided by an evidence-based standardized questionnaire while employing the 5 A’s Behavior Change Model (assess, advise, agree, assist, and arrange).

Outcomes: After the dry skin protocol intervention, there was a 68% reduction in patients’ dry skin and 23% improvement in patients’ quality of life during the seven-month project period. Out of the 15 geriatric patients, 10 (67%) of the participants successfully completed the follow-up.

Conclusion: This project is meant to empower participants to successfully adhere to a xerosis cutis protocol to improve their dry skin. It ultimately aims at improving overall well-being leading to healthier communities. Successful results may lead to increased quality of life and improved dry skin management.

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