A descriptive cross‐sectional international study to explore current practices in the assessment, prevention and treatment of skin tears

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>This study presents the results of a descriptive, cross‐sectional, online international survey in order to explore current practices in the assessment, prediction, prevention and treatment of skin tears (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">ST</jats:styled-content>s). A total of 1127 health care providers (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">HCP</jats:styled-content>) from 16 countries completed the survey. The majority of the respondents (69·6%, <jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 695) reported problems with the current methods for the assessment and documentation of <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">ST</jats:styled-content>s with an overwhelming majority (89·5%, <jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 891) favouring the development of a simplified method of assessment. Respondents ranked equipment injury during patient transfer and falls as the main causes of <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">ST</jats:styled-content>s. The majority of the samples indicated that they used non‐adhesive dressings (35·89%, <jats:italic>n</jats:italic> = 322) to treat a <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">ST</jats:styled-content>, with the use of protective clothing being the most common method of prevention. The results of this study led to the establishment of a consensus document, classification system and a tool kit for use by practitioners. The authors believe that this survey was an important first step in raising the global awareness of <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">ST</jats:styled-content>s and to stimulate discussion and research of these complex acute wounds.</jats:p>