Preventing medical adhesive-related skin injury (MARSI)

Abstract

Medical adhesive-related skin injury (MARSI) is an overlooked and underestimated problem. While awareness of this issue is growing, it is not fully understood by health professionals in a variety of clinical settings. Medical adhesive products are often applied and removed incorrectly, which, albeit unintentionally, causes skin damage. In many cases, MARSI should be considered a preventable injury. Organisations should have processes in place to educate health professionals in acute and community facilities in preventing MARSI; these processes should include the use of products that help to prevent these injuries, including medical adhesive removers. This article will explore this topic and relate it to the most recent consensus document.