Skin Prep- waste of time?

How do skin preps help heels? I have like 10 patients who need skin preps on their heels bid... it is very time consuming to take their shoes and socks off, wipe it on their heels, and put their shoes and socks back on. Does it really help prevent break down? And how?

According to this site: Smith & Nephew - Skin-Prep*


this is what they're for:


Upon application to intact skin, Skin-Prep* protective wipes forms a protective film that prepares the skin for the attachment of drainage tubes, external catheters, adhesive dressings and can be used around ostomy sites.

So why am I putting skin prep on their heels? I'm not taping their heels or taking tape off lol

I would not think skin prep would be terribly helpful, but a conditioning ointment may be helpful. I would also think floating everyone's heels would also be more helpful than skin prep.

I've never heard of doing that, so I guess I'm not much help...

No, I don't see the point of that either!. The only thing I know (but I've been out of the field of LTC a LOOOOONG time!) is that the only "effective" treatment is regular pressure care involving massage and stimulation of the area, promoting circulation. You mention shoes and socks-how mobile are your patients?

are these diabetic patients? do you have some policy on foot care for diabetic patients where you work? that is the only thing I can think of.... we used to have to do a daily foot check on all DM patients.

or....it sounds like a policy or protocol that someone sitting behind a desk made up......

Quote from GHGoonetteNo, I don't see the point of that either!. The only thing I know (but I've been out of the field of LTC a LOOOOONG time!) is that the only "effective" treatment is regular pressure care involving massage and stimulation of the area, promoting circulation. You mention shoes and socks-how mobile are your patients?

Quote from CathyLeware these diabetic patients? do you have some policy on foot care for diabetic patients where you work? that is the only thing I can think of.... we used to have to do a daily foot check on all DM patients.

Quote from GHGoonette The only thing I know (but I've been out of the field of LTC a LOOOOONG time!) is that the only "effective" treatment is regular pressure care involving massage and stimulation of the area, promoting circulation.

I have often wondered this myself. The thinking is that over time it helps harden and protect the skin. I haven't found much to back up this theory, but it is the standard treatment at my facility.

Quote from JenniferSewsI have often wondered this myself. The thinking is that over time it helps harden and protect the skin. I haven't found much to back up this theory, but it is the standard treatment at my facility.

I put skin prep on the heels and elbows of patients who are completely bedridden, and tend to slide down in bed. That way the friction when they are pulled up repeatedly does not cause soreness, or shearing in those areas anyway. Why you would put it on people who are wearing shoes and socks and OOB is beyond me...

Skin prep is often used to protect heels from becoming boggy or when heels have already developed unstageable eschar (thick black scab) to allow heels to heal from the inside without disturbing scab and thus creating a wound. It may be a pain to apply skin prep BID but it is much easier than doind wound care BID!