Skin problems : assessing needs and delivering services

The high prevalence and morbidity of conditions affecting skin breakdown is strongly related to age and creates a large burden of disease. More research is needed into the complex mechanism of skin breakdown, but impaired immunological and nutritional status, immobility, altered consciousness, and incontinence are key factors (Voegeli, 2007). Demographic trends in developed countries are likely to cause a significant increase in the number of people with skin integrity problems in the future, with a corresponding increase in the costs of care (Posnett and Franks, 2007). [opening paragraph]