Objective: To compare the efficacy of zinc oxide versus barrier creams for the maintenance of skin integrity in intensive care patients with a risk of pressure injury (PI).
Methods: This was a retrospective and cross-sectional study. The authors included data from 95 patients treated in the neurology and respiratory ICUs of a training and research hospital between January and June 2022. Patients in the neurology ICU were treated with zinc oxide cream (group 1, n = 48), and patients in the respiratory ICU received classic barrier cream (group 2, n = 47). Sociodemographic characteristics and PI data (Braden Scale score, Pressure Ulcer Healing Assessment Scale [PUSH] score, and PI stage) were obtained from each patient's file.
Results: The mean PUSH score of the patients who received zinc oxide cream was 3.83 ± 4.39 at discharge versus 6.79 ± 4.40 for the group who received barrier cream. When PUSH scores and PI stages during hospitalization and discharge were compared, the authors found a statistically significant between-group difference in mean discharge scores (P < .05).
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this retrospective study based on patient records, zinc oxide creams had more positive effects on the prevention of PIs than barrier creams.
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