Reliability and Validity of the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Ulcer Risk

Abstract

Multiple tools have been developed to assist nurses and other care providers to identify and quantify pressure ulcer risk. One of the most widely used tools is the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Ulcer Risk. It has been in use for 2 decades and multiple studies have individually reported on its reliability and validity. This article summarizes the reliability and validity of the instrument, and discusses implications for its use in clinical and research settings. The Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Ulcer Risk has generally performed well in the clinical setting. It has demonstrated reliability and validity in multiple clinical settings, and its parsimonious format enhances incorporation into routine clinical practice. Expanding the instrument may further increase its reliability and validity in the research setting.

Quality Outcomes of Hospital Supplemental Nurse Staffing

“…For the outcome of pressure ulcers, we adjusted for patient age, gender, and pressure ulcer risk as measured by the Braden scale 17 . For the outcome of patient satisfaction with nurses, we adjusted for patient age and gender.…”

The Association of BMI and Braden Total Score on the Occurrence of Pressure Ulcers

“…1,21,22 Sensitivity for predicting skin risk has ranged from 83% to 100%. The Braden Scale tends to overpredict risk, and the specificity has been reported at 64% to 90%.…”

“…National pressure ulcer (PU) prevalence rates in acute care settings vary from 14% to 17%, and the incidence of hospital-acquired PU ranges from 7% to 9%. 1 However, there are no national data related to the prevalence or incidence of skin breakdown in morbidly obese persons. Skin care is a prominent challenge commonly dis-cussed in nursing literature describing the care of obese individuals.…”

Braden Subscales and Their Relationship to the Prevalence of Pressure Ulcers in Hospitalized Obese Patients

“…The instrument is 1 College of Nursing, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina. 2 Roanoke Chowan Community College, Ahoskie, North Carolina. 3 Albemarle Health Systems, Elizabeth City, North Carolina.…”

“…1 Currently, the estimated rate of hospital-acquired PU ranges from 7% to 9%. 2 Preventing PU in obese patients is particularly challenging, as these patients may have difficulty regulating body heat and have increased risk for incontinence resulting in excess moisture. 3,4 Obese patients may have atypical pressure related to breakdown in skin folds due to poor blood supply in adipose tissue 5 or from folds, tubes, and catheters.…”