Abstract

Diaper dermatitis poses a significant challenge for pediatric nurses, especially in hospitals. In 2021, 13 cases were reported across pediatric units in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, highlighting the need for standardized assessment, management, and treatment. The team launched an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) initiative aimed at reducing the severity of diaper dermatitis in children aged 0-14 years by adapting and implementing a skin care bundle, led by pediatric nurses, within the pediatric units of a tertiary teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia over a 36-month period. The EBP team reviewed and synthesized related literature from various online databases, resulting in 41 relevant articles. After reviewing and synthesizing these articles, four were selected based on their relevance and the strength of the evidence. Consequently, the practice change focused on risk identification and early detection, hygiene and diapering practices, treatment approaches, consultation and referral, nursing competence and documentation, and caregiver education. Data from staff questionnaires and patient documentation were used to pre- and post-evaluate the three-year practice change across pediatric units. Overall, implementing an evidence-based practice initiative improved pediatric nursing practices over a 36-month period. The initiative needs to be integrated and maintained across pediatric units.

Keywords:Diaper dermatitis; Diaper dermatitis management and treatment; Evidence-based practice; Iowa model; Buckley scale; Algorithm of diaper dermatitis