Now Available: Best Practice Recommendations for the Prevention and Management of Skin Tears in Aged Skin (2nd Edition)
- ISTAP
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
Published May 22, 2025
By Emmy Nokaneng, Corey Heerschap, Debra Thayer, Karen Ousey, Samantha Holloway, Kimberly LeBlanc, Debra Netsch, Holly Vance, Kevin R Emmons, Kevin Woo
Skin tears are a growing global health concern, particularly among older adults with fragile skin. They can lead to significant pain, distress, and extended hospital stays — yet remain under-reported and under-recognized. To address this urgent need, the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP™), in collaboration with Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) and the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®, USA), is proud to announce the release of the updated 2025 Best Practice Recommendations for the Prevention and Management of Skin Tears in Aged Skin.
This second edition builds on the widely used 2018 guidelines, incorporating the latest evidence and clinical priorities to empower healthcare professionals across all care settings.
Why This Update Matters
As the global population ages, skin tears are becoming increasingly common — with an estimated 1.5 million cases per year and rising. Older adults and patients with chronic illnesses are especially at risk due to fragile skin and frailty-related changes.
Despite advances in awareness and management, skin tears remain a serious challenge, often occurring more frequently than pressure injuries and contributing to hospital admissions and prolonged stays.
This new edition responds to emerging challenges and evidence, including:
The impact of skin tone on assessment and management
The unique needs of patients living with dementia
The importance of antimicrobial stewardship in wound care
The need for validated, standardized data collection to better understand prevalence and outcomes
Key Features of the 2025 Edition
Updated best practice recommendations for prevention, assessment, classification, and treatment of skin tears
New ISTAP Data Collection Tool (DC-Tool) — a validated tool to support accurate assessment and tracking of skin tears for quality improvement and research
Expanded focus on inclusivity — considering skin tone and patient diversity in clinical assessment
Guidance for managing skin tears in patients with dementia
Emphasis on preserving skin integrity and promoting skin health to prevent wounds before they occur
The ISTAP DC-Tool: Advancing Global Data Collection
One of the standout additions to this edition is the new ISTAP Data Collection Tool (DC-Tool), which was rigorously validated through a multi-method process in 2024. Designed to enable accurate, standardized data capture, the DC-Tool will help clinicians and researchers improve understanding of skin tear prevalence and inform evidence-based practice worldwide.
The tool can be used in clinical practice, quality improvement projects, and research — helping to build a clearer picture of this often-overlooked issue.
Download the Full Document
The updated Best Practice Recommendations for the Prevention and Management of Skin Tears in Aged Skin (2nd Edition) is now available for download. We encourage all clinicians, educators, and healthcare organizations to access this resource and integrate its recommendations into practice.
Or, access the document online at https://woundsinternational.com/consensus-documents/best-practice-recommendations-for-the-prevention-and-management-of-skin-tears-in-aged-skin-2nd-edition/
A Collaborative Effort
This updated guideline was developed through the collaboration of a global panel of experts and reflects perspectives from around the world. ISTAP thanks its partners at NSWOCC and WOCN®, and acknowledges the support of Essity, Smith+Nephew, and Urgo Medical in producing this important resource.
Together, we are working toward ISTAP’s vision of a world without skin tears — one patient, one clinician, one best practice at a time.
Disclaimer: The International Skin Tear Advisory Panel [ISTAP] partnered with Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) and the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN®, USA), with the support of Essity, Smith+Nephew, and Urgo Medical to produce this resource.