Skin Tears in Mammography
A team of nurses at the University of Salford have conducted a review of the literature where it has been noted that a small proportion of women after mammography go on to develop skin tears (Stephens, Pradeep & Collins, 2022). Internationally, these wounds are rarely reported. With the advent of safer care for patients and the reporting of avoidable harm through reporting systems [World Health Organisation, 2016], this area of tissue viability needs to be addressed.
With colleagues from Radiography and clinical practice our plans are to conduct research on this topic. To do this the team is applying for ethics to conduct a retrospective cohort analysis of the NHS Breast Screening in a local NHS Trust. This will identify the burden of skin tears and the documentation and reporting of them.
The team will also conduct an analysis of information needs and themes in content shared within online forums and social media groups utilised by individuals who have undergone mammography procedures. This will also include an examination of the role of healthcare professionals within these groups (if any).
Team
Sheba Pradeep
Judith Jones