Scales do not assess the risk of pressure ulcers

Although risk assessment scales for pressure ulcers predict the occurrence of pressure ulcers to an extent, strict application leads to inefficient use of preventive measures. Schoonhoven and colleagues (p 797) used the Norton, Braden, and Waterlow scales to predict the development of pressure ulcers in hospital patients. In a group of 1229 patients studied over 2190 patient weeks none of the scales satisfactorily predicted the development of pressure ulcers. Most risk assessment scales are based on expert opinion or literature review and have not been evaluated.
 
(Credit: SIMON FRASER/SPL)



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Relevant Article

Prospective cohort study of routine use of risk assessment scales for prediction of pressure ulcers
Lisette Schoonhoven, Jeen R E Haalboom, Mente T Bousema, Ale Algra, Diederick E Grobbee, Maria H Grypdonck, and Erik Buskens
BMJ 2002 325: 797. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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