Pressure ulcer risk assessment scales
García Fernández F.P., Pancorbo Hidalgo P.L., Soldevilla Ágreda J.J., Blasco García C.

SUMMARY

   Pressure ulcers are an important health problem worldwide. There is a wide consensus to consider prevention as the most efficient method to avoid this problem. Risk assessment is a key component in prevention. The aim of risk assessment is the identification of patients who need preventive measures and their specific risk factors. Risk assessment scales are tools to make the risk assessment. This technical report updates the knowledge about risk assessment scales, its definition and objectives. Also deal with its conceptual framework and tools and methods useful to validate a scale. Currently there are 5 risk assessment scales than been properly validated: Braden, Norton, EMINA, Waterlow and Cubbin-Jackson. Literaturebased evidences and recommendations for practice are presented. The text ends with some implications for research, with a suggestion of some research issues that must be clarified in the next years.

KEY WORDS

   Risk assessment scales, pressure ulcers, evidence, technical report.

Vol. 19 nº3-2008