Märkäpotilaassa

Märkäpotilaassa is a Finnish term used in healthcare to describe a patient who requires special attention due to moisture-related conditions. It is not a formal medical diagnosis, but a descriptive label commonly used in care planning and daily nursing notes to indicate that the patient presents with persistent moisture at the skin or in the surrounding environment, such as urinary or fecal incontinence, wound drainage, or heavy sweating.

Etymologically, märkäpotilasta combines märkä, meaning wet, with potilas, meaning patient. The term is mainly encountered in hospital, long-term care, and home care settings where caregivers document and communicate moisture-related needs.

In practice, märkäpotilaassa signals a need for heightened skin care and environmental management to prevent complications. Moisture can contribute to maceration, dermatitis, odor, and infection, and may require the use of absorbent products, barrier agents, regular skin checks, and timely changes of dressings or incontinence materials. Care plans typically emphasize keeping skin clean and dry, protecting vulnerable areas, and monitoring for signs of irritation or infection, while balancing the patient’s comfort and mobility.

Usage of the term is not standardized and varies between institutions and professionals. It is more common as a descriptive note within care documentation rather than a formal diagnostic category, and it may appear alongside other plan indicators or nursing assessments.

See also: incontinence care, wound care, nursing care planning.