Adding Patient Education of Skin Cancer and Sun-Protective Behaviors To the Skin Assessment Screening on Admission to Hospitals

On admission to the acute care setting, each patient should have a skin assessment performed by a RN. This assessment is very important and is used to document any lesions, lacerations, and bruising on the skin. However, the primary purpose is to assess for skin breakdown (Braden & Bergstrom, 1988). Skin assessments focus on pressure ulcers, especially because acquiring a pressure ulcer is a never event and is not reimbursed by Medicare (Health Watch USA, 2010).

Another potential skin problem is not assessed as frequently, yet warrants heightened attention. Skin cancer is increasing in frequency in the United States and has reached epidemic proportions (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2010). For example, a person born in 1935 had a 1 in 1,500 chance of acquiring skin cancer in his or her lifetime; risk is now 1 in 50 (American Academy of Dermatology [AAD], 2010). Screening for skin cancer can occur easily with the patient assessment completed on hospital admission, and have an impact on disease occurrence.