The International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) is an interprofessional collaboration dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals at risk and/or experiencing skin tears across the continuum of care through education, research & advocacy.

May 1, 2018 · The International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) convened a group of experts to provide internationally recognised recommendations for the prevention and management of skin tears, with updated definitions and terminology.

The International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) is an interprofessional collaboration dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals at risk and/or experiencing skin tears across the continuum of care through education, research & advocacy.

Skin tears are acute wounds that should typically proceed to closure in a timely fashion and follow an acute wound closure trajectory of 14–21 days. Ensure that all potential factors that could delay healing (e.g. diabetes, peripheral oedema, nutritional issues) have been addressed.

The International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) was formed to raise international awareness of the prediction, assessment, prevention, and management of skin tears. The ISTAP comprises a panel of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals representing: Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Middle East, North America and South America.

Name the three types of Skin Tears in the ISTAP Skin Tear classification system? What factors do you need to consider when assessing and treating skin tears? How do you select topical treatment options for skin tears? How did we know that Skin Tears were an issue? Survey says!

The International Skin Tear Advisory Panel defines skin tears as “a wound caused by shear, friction, and/or blunt force resulting in separation of skin layers. A skin tear can be partial-thickness (separation of the epidermis from the dermis) or full-thickness (separation of both the epidermis and dermis from underlying structures)”. 1,2.

Skin tears are acute wounds that are frequently misdiagnosed and under‐reported. A standardized and globally adopted skin tear classification system with supporting evidence for diagnostic validity and reliability is required to allow assessment and reporting in a consistent way.

Definition of a "flap": "A flap in skin tears is defined as a portion of the skin (epidermis/dermis) that is unintentionally separated (partially or fully) from its original place due to shear, friction, and/or blunt force. This concept is not to be confused with tissue that is intentionally detached from its place of origin for therapeutic use ...

The International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) provides a standardised, validated, and simple classification tool that can be used to identify the three most common types of skin tears. The ISTAP classification categorises the types of skin tear according to the severity of the flap.