Comparison of Braden and Waterlow scales for pressure ulcer risk assessment in intensive care unit

Background: Pressure ulcer is a common complication in the intensive care unit (ICU). Risk assessment is recommended as the first preventive measure. There is no consensus on the best scale for pressure ulcer risk assessmentObjectives: The present study was conducted to compare the accuracy of Braden and Waterlow risk assessment scales for prediction of pressure ulcer in patients admitted to the ICU.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in ۲۰۱۸ on ۱۸۶ patients hospitalized in Tohid and Kaosar teaching hospitals, Sanadaj, Iran. The Braden and Waterlow scales were simultaneously used for data collection to assess the risk of pressure ulcer. Patient assessment was done on a daily basis for ۱۵ days by two trained nurses. The SPSS version ۲۱ was used for data analysis. The predictive validity of the scales was measured in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values.Results: The mean age of the subjects was ۵۵.۶±۲۰.۳ years. ۱۰۲ patients (۵۴.۸%) developed pressure ulcer. The sensitivity and specificity of the Braden scale was ۹۷.۱۸% and ۳۴.۵% at a cut-off point of ۱۸ and the sensitivity and specificity of the Waterlow scale was ۹۵% and ۲۸.۵% at a cut-off point of ۱۰, respectively.Conclusion: The results showed that the Braden scale had a slightly higher predictive validity (specificity and sensitivity) for pressure ulcer risk assessment.

Keywords:

Braden , Waterlow , Scale , Pressure ulcer