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. 2019 Mar 8;46(2):125–136. doi: 10.1097/WON.0000000000000513

TABLE 1. Scoping Literature Review Study.

Reference Study: Design/Type of Literature Review/Practice Guideline Subjects and Setting Pertinent Outcomes
Beitz and Colwell13 Study: Cross-sectional survey, content validation of management options for various peristomal skin complications 281 WOC nurses practicing in the United States Nurses specialized in ostomy care ranked interventions for managing stoma and peristomal complications. Highest-ranking interventions for PMARSI relevant conditions were:
Peristomal irritant contact dermatitis
  • Identification and correction of etiology of skin/effluent/chemical contact

  • Use of extended wear barrier with ileostomy or urostomy

  • Application of light dusting of skin barrier powder


Allergic or hypersensitivity response
  • Identification of and discontinuing of the offending product/agent

  • Application of topical anti-inflammatory sprays or products

  • Introduction of new ostomy products one at a time


Peristomal trauma
  • Identification and elimination of the cause of trauma

  • Sprinkle the injured area with skin, barrier powder, and cover with a thin hydrocolloid layer

  • Application of non-alcohol-based skin barrier film to the injured area

Beitz and Colwell14 Study: Cross-sectional survey 281 WOC nurses practicing in the United States Analysis of narrative comments received in the survey described previously. Frequently advocated interventions for PMARSI-related conditions were:
Peristomal candidiasis
  • Drying skin with a hair dryer on low or cool setting

  • Application of antifungal cleanser or powder, followed by administration of a systemic antifungal agent if topical therapy is not successful

  • Cleansing skin with 5%-10% cleanser

  • Use of silver-impregnated material to decrease moisture and for an antimicrobial effect


Peristomal folliculitis
  • Removal of hair via electric clippers

  • Reduce frequency of shaving peristomal skin

  • Gentle removal of the ostomy skin barrier

Farris et al15 Study: Epidemiologic study of patients care for in a single-site study on 2 nursing units in the United States Two inpatient care units in single acute care facility in the United States; data based on 1189 skin assessments over a 28-d data collection period Measured prevalence of multiple corms of MARSI, including PMARSI over a 28-d period
  • Patient prevalence of any form of MARSI: median 13%; range, 3.4%-25%

  • Mean daily prevalence based on severity: mild, 5.6 per 1000 products days; moderate, 7.0 per 1000 product days; severe, 0.5 per 1000 product days

  • 1000-d product based MARSI prevalence: median 56 per 1000 product days; range, 8-149

  • Product prevalence: median 56 per 1000 patient days; range, 8-149 per 1000 product days

  • 3 events were deemed PMARSI, both were ranked as moderate, and all were identified as irritant contact dermatitis

Lund16 Integrative literature review Not applicable Summarized the challenges of using medical adhesives in premature, full-term, and chronically hospitalized infants
Included ostomy pouching systems as relevant medical devices
McNichol et al10 Practice guideline 23 key opinion leaders Reported the results of multidisciplinary consensus panel meeting. Participants agreed on 25 statements about assessment, prevention, and management of MARSI and identified gaps in research
Included a systematic literature review of topic
Ousey and Wasek12 Study: Cross-sectional survey 918 clinicians (nurses, community nurses, district nurses, wound care specialty practice nurses, general practice physicians, geriatricians, podiatrists); all clinicians indicated practicing in the United Kingdom Queried professional opinion of clinician perspectives on medical adhesive-related skin injuries, pertinent findings
  • More than 50% of respondents indicated more than 60.6% of their patients have “fragile skin” (vulnerable to MARSI)

  • Awareness of various forms of MARSI varied; more than 80% recognized skin (epidermal) stripping, skin tears, irritant contact dermatitis; less than 50% recognized maceration or folliculitis as prevalent forms

  • 70.5% indicated MARSI is not documented in their facility

  • 78% indicate use of a barrier film before applying medical adhesives as preventive intervention

Yates et al17 Consensus ≥250 WOC nurses practicing in North America Reported 8 consensus statements about medical adhesives relevant to WOC nursing.
Included a review of the state of the science in adhesive product technology
Authors recommend conducting point prevalence for MARSI and taking action based on data
Zulkowski18 Integrative literature review Not applicable Described types of skin damage relevant to WOC nursing practice, distinguishing characteristics and general recommendations for prevention and treatment

Abbreviations: MARSI, medical adhesive-related skin injury; PMARSI, peristomal medical adhesive-related skin injury.