OBJECTIVE A rule-based prototype decision support tool; Braden-scale based Automated Risk-assessment Tool (BART) was developed to test whether pressure ulcer risk scores can be determined automatically based on the documented patient data. METHODS The data items required for assessing pressure ulcer risk were identified by analyzing the parameter definitions of the Braden scale and by consult...

BACKGROUND Various scales have been devised to predict development of pressure ulcers on the basis of clinical and laboratory data, such as the Braden Scale (Braden score), which is used to monitor activity and skin conditions of bedridden patients. However, none of these scales facilitates clinically reliable prediction. AIMS To develop a clinical laboratory data-based predictive equation fo...

This methodological study aimed to evaluate the predictive validity of the Braden scale in critical care patients. The study was conducted in four intensive care units of a general private hospital. After approval of the project by the Hospital Ethics Committee, during six months, adult patients admitted to ICUs with a Braden score <18 and without PU were assessed upon admission and at 48-hours...

PURPOSE We compared pressure ulcer (PU) prevalence patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, and Braden Scale scores of 16 or more to patients with lower BMI. METHODS A cross-sectional study by using existing data was conducted combining patient skin status with BMI. Subjects underwent skin assessment for evidence of skin breakdown by nurses trained in PU assessment. Data from this...

BACKGROUND Assessments of risk for pressure ulcers in critical care patients may not include important predictors. OBJECTIVE To construct risk-prediction models of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in intensive care patients and compare the models' predictive validities with validity of the Braden Scale. METHODS Data were collected retrospectively on patients admitted to intensive care from...

We examined nurses' perceptions about the value and applicability of the Braden Scale as an evidence-based practice assessment tool for determining nursing interventions. Findings revealed that nurses most often chose interventions associated with improving mobility over all other components of the Braden Scale assessment. The redesign of a clinical education program using targeted scenarios fo...

BACKGROUND A rule-based system, the Braden Scale based Automated Risk Assessment Tool (BART), was developed to assess risk for pressure ulcer in a previous study. However, the BART illustrated two major areas in need of improvement, which were: 1) the enhancement of decision rules and 2) validation of generalizability to increase performance of BART. OBJECTIVES To enhance decision rules and v...

BACKGROUND Patients in intensive care units are at higher risk for development of pressure ulcers than other patients. In order to prevent pressure ulcers from developing in intensive care patients, risk for development of pressure ulcers must be assessed accurately. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the predictive validity of the Braden scale for assessing risk for development of pressure ulcers in int...

The objective of this study was to evaluate inter-rater reliability of Braden Scale, Norton Scale and Waterlow Scale for pressure ulcer risk assessment in clinical practice. The design of the study was cross-sectional. A total of 23 patients at pressure ulcer risk were included in the study, and 6 best registered nurses conducted three subsequent risk assessments for all included patients. They...