June Skin & Wound Awareness Series: Week 2- Hands-On Care, Eyes-On Prevention
Why CNAs are skin care heroes. They are the “preventers”!
CNAs are often the first to know.
They know when a resident usually turns easily but suddenly resists. They know when someone’s heel looks different than it did yesterday. They know when incontinence is compromising healthy skin, when a chair cushion is not positioned correctly, or when a resident says, “Something hurts,” but there is isn’t anything for the eye to see yet.
That is why CNAs are essential to skin and wound prevention.
CNAs are not just completing tasks.
They are observing.
They are protecting.
They are advocating.
They are often the first line of skin awareness.
Prevention often begins during routine care
Skin prevention does not always begin in a meeting, a report, or a wound round. It often begins during everyday resident care.
A shower.
A brief change.
A transfer.
A repositioning round.
A walk to the bathroom.
A morning dressing routine.
A bedtime check.
These moments allow CNAs to notice areas that others may not see regularly, including:
Heels
Buttocks and coccyx
Elbows
Back of the head
Hips
Ankles
Skin folds
Under breasts
Between toes
Areas under braces, splints, oxygen tubing, shoes, socks, or medical devices
When CNAs are educated and encouraged to speak up, skin care becomes stronger.
The CNA’s observations tell the skin story
In wound care, the story matters.
When did the redness start?
Was the resident sitting longer than usual?
Did the resident refuse to turn?
Was the cushion missing?
Was the heel floating?
Was the brief wet?
Did the resident complain of pain?
Was there a change in appetite, mobility, or continence?
CNAs often hold the answers to these questions because they are present in the daily rhythm of care. That is why CNA communication is so important. A small observation may become the detail that helps the nurse, therapy team, wound clinician, provider, or family understand what changed. They should feel like the most empowered team member to advocate for those they are caring for.
How do you respond when a CNA approaches you with important resident information? Are you the gap in a successful skin & wound care program? Make time, every time to listen, acknowledge and validate the CNA.
CNAs deserve education, not assumptions
We cannot expect strong reporting if we have not created strong education. CNAs need simple, clear language. They need to know what to look for, who to report to, and why their observations matter. They also need leaders who respond when they speak up.
A CNA who reports a red heel should not feel dismissed.
A CNA who notices a skin tear should not feel blamed.
A CNA who says, “This resident seems different today,” should be heard.
Prevention depends on a culture where observations are welcomed. Nurses, therapists and leadership empower CNAs and Caregivers to speak up and often and are met with collaboration and gratefulness every time.
The simple message
CNAs are skin care heroes, the “preventers”, because they are hands-on, eyes-on, and close enough to notice early.
Anytime is a perfect time to remind CNAs that what they see matters, what they say matters, and what they document matters.
Call to action:
To every CNA: keep noticing. Keep reporting. Keep advocating. You may be the first person to see the small change that prevents a bigger wound.
Skin care is not only about what happens after a wound appears. It is about the hands and hearts that help prevent one from happening.
#PAWSIC
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#HealthcareEducation
#SUCCESSModel
#The3CsOfSkinAndWoundCare
#AdvantageYOUHCS
