Risk Assessment Tool for Pressure Ulcer Development in Indian Surgical Wards

The aims of this paper were to compare the predictive validity of three pressure ulcer (PU) risk scales—the Norton scale, the Braden scale, and the Waterlow scale—and to choose the most appropriate calculator for predicting PU risk in surgical wards of India. This is an observational prospective cohort study in a tertiary educational hospital in New Delhi among 100 surgical ward patients from April to July 2011. The main outcomes measured included sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PVP) and negative predictive value (PVN), and the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the three PU risk assessment scales. Based on the cutoff points found most appropriate in this study, the sensitivity, specificity, PVP, and PVN were as follows: the Norton scale (cutoff, 16) had the values of 95.6, 93.5, 44.8, and 98.6, respectively; the Braden scale (cutoff, 17) had values of 100, 89.6, 42.5, and 100, respectively; and the Waterlow scale (cutoff, 11) had 91.3, 84.4, 38.8, and 97, respectively. According to the ROC curve, the Norton scale is the most appropriate tool. Factors such as physical condition, activity, mobility, body mass index (BMI), nutrition, friction, and shear are extremely significant in determining risk of PU development (p < 0.0001). The Norton scale is most effective in predicting PU risk in Indian surgical wards. BMI, mobility, activity, nutrition, friction, and shear are the most significant factors in Indian surgical ward settings with necessity for future comparison with established scales.     

Inter‐rater reliability of three most commonly used pressure ulcer risk assessment scales in clinical practice

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 assessed alone and independently from each other. An intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine the inter‐rater reliability. For the Braden Scale, the ICC values ranged between 0·603 (95% CI: 0·435–0·770) for the item ‘moisture’ and a maximum of 0·964 (95% CI: 0·936–0·982) for the item ‘activity’; for the Norton Scale, the ICC values ranged between 0·595 (95% CI: 0·426–0·764) for the item ‘physical condition’ and a maximum of 0·975 (95% CI: 0·955–0·988) for the item ‘activity’; and for the Waterlow Scale, the ICC values ranged between 0·592 (95% CI: 0·422–0·762) for the item ‘skin type’ and a maximum of 0·990 (95% CI: 0·982–0·995) for the item ‘activity’. The ICC values of total score for three scales of were 0·955 (95% CI: 0·922–0·978), 0·967 (95% CI: 0·943–0·984), and 0·915 (95% CI: 0·855–0·958) for Braden, Norton, and Waterlow scales, respectively. Although the inter‐rater reliability of Braden Scale, Norton Scale and Waterlow Scale total scores were all substantial, the reliability of some items was not so good. The items of ‘moisture’, ‘physical condition’ and ‘skin type’ should be paid more attention. However, some studies are needed to find out high reliable quantitative items to replace these ambiguous items in new designed scales.     

A review of scales for assessing the risk of developing a pressure ulcer in individuals with SCI

BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers are a common secondary condition that occur post-spinal cord injury (SCI). These ulcers come at tremendous personal and societal cost. There are a number of scales that can be used to identify those who are at risk. OBJECTIVES: This review critically evaluates risk assessment scales designed for identifying and predicting skin ulcers. Specifically, studies on the psychometric properties and utility for individuals with SCI were assessed. METHODS: The MedLine, CINHAL, Embase, HaPI, Psycinfo, Sportdiscus and Cochrane databases were searched to identify studies. To be included, the scale needed to have at least one study, published in a peer-reviewed journal, which examined its psychometric properties with a sample of individuals with SCI. RESULTS: Seven scales were included in this review: Abuzzese, Braden, Gosnell, Norton, SCIPUS, SCIPUS-A and Waterlow. None of the tools reported reliability data with this population. Validity evidence ranged from poor to adequate across scales. Most were readily available, quick to administer and had minimal respondent burden; however, the SCIPUS-A and SCIPUS, two scales developed specifically for individuals with SCI, required laboratory blood testing. CONCLUSION: Although the SCIPUS-A and SCIPUS show promise, utility issues and limited psychometric testing suggest that these tools cannot be recommended at this time. While the Braden scale has the best combined validity and utility evidence, more specific testing with individuals with SCI is required for it and all other scales included in the review.     

Munro与Braden压疮评估表用于手术患者压疮评估预测效度比较

目的比较Munro与Braden评估表预测手术患者压疮的效果。方法 2名护士分别应用2种评估表,同时、独立、连续地于术前、手术结束、术后返回病房2h内对111例外科手术患者进行压疮风险评估,另1名护士在手术结束、返回病房交接、术后24h、48h、72h评估压疮发生情况并记录,计算ROC曲线下面积、灵敏度和特异度。结果手术结束11例发生压疮(9.9%),术后24h内共有4例压疮患者,其中2例新发(1.8%);Munro评估表术前、中、后的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.850、0.889、0.864,高于Braden评估表(0.727、0.724、0.600);术前、中、后Braden评估表最佳临界值分别为19分、13分、14分,灵敏度分别为0.545、0.909、0.250,特异度0.700、0.350、0.916;术前、中、后Munro评估表最佳临界值为9分、22分、29分,灵敏度分别为0.818、0.909、0.750,特异度为0.610、0.730、0.822。结论 Munro评估表评估压疮更具有针对性,对手术压疮诊断价值高于Braden评估表,但在使用过程中需要与其他医务人员配合,且个别评估指标不是常规监测项目,增加了护理工作量,需进一步研究和加以完善。     

THE POINT PREVALENCE OF WOUNDS IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL

Background : Wounds are a common problem, particularly in the elderly population. The scale of wound problems in hospital is largely unknown because wounds are widely dispersed. The present study examined the point prevalence of hospital wounds and undertook a pressure ulcer risk assessment of all patients on one day. Methods : All 360 inpatients were surveyed and thoroughly examined. A risk scale for pressure sore development, the Norton score, was applied. When wounds were found, information was collected to determine their aetiology. Results : Forty leg ulcers, 40 pressure sores, 85 surgical wounds and seven other types of wounds were found. Most leg ulcer and pressure sore cases were admitted for other reasons. The Norton score did not predict all cases of pressure ulceration. A total of 52% of wounds did not qualify for additional funding under current funding criteria. Conclusion : The prevalence of non-surgical wounds in Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital was easily underestimated. Wound care management can be optimized by staff education and protocol design, early identification of troublesome wounds and of at-risk patients, and a cross-sectional approach that incorporates wound-management teams.     

Enhancing Braden pressure ulcer risk assessment in acutely ill adult veterans

This study sought to determine if a parsimonious pressure ulcer (PU) predictive model could be identified specific to acute care to enhance the current PU risk assessment tool (Braden Scale) utilized within veteran facilities. Factors investigated include: diagnosis of gangrene, anemia, diabetes, malnutrition, osteomyelitis, pneumonia/pneumonitis, septicemia, candidiasis, bacterial skin infection, device/implant/graft complications, urinary tract infection, paralysis, senility, respiratory failure, acute renal failure, cerebrovascular accident, or congestive heart failure during hospitalization; patient's age, race, smoking status, history of previous PU, surgery, hours in surgery; length of hospitalization, and intensive care unit days. Retrospective chart review and logistic regression analyses were used to examine Braden scores and other risk factors in 213 acutely ill veterans in North Florida with (n = 100) and without (n = 113) incident PU from January–July 2008. Findings indicate four medical factors (malnutrition, pneumonia/pneumonitis, candidiasis, and surgery) have stronger predictive value (sensitivity 83%, specificity 72%, area under receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve 0.82) for predicting PUs in acutely ill veterans than Braden Scale total scores alone (sensitivity 65%, specificity 70%, area under ROC curve 0.70). In addition, accounting for four medical factors plus two Braden subscores (activity and friction) demonstrates better overall model performance (sensitivity 80%, specificity 76%, area under ROC curve 0.88).     

The effect of Web-based Braden Scale training on the reliability and precision of Braden Scale pressure ulcer risk assessments.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Web-based Braden Scale training on the reliability and precision of pressure ulcer risk assessments made by registered nurses (RN) working in acute care settings. DESIGN: Pretest-posttest, 2-group, quasi-experimental design. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Five hundred Braden Scale risk assessments were made on 102 acute care patients deemed to be at various levels of risk for pressure ulceration. Assessments were made by RNs working in acute care hospitals at 3 different medical centers where the Braden Scale was in regular daily use (2 medical centers) or new to the setting (1 medical center). INSTRUMENT: The Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk was used to guide pressure ulcer risk assessments. A Web-based version of the Detroit Medical Center Braden Scale Computerized Training Module was used to teach nurses correct use of the Braden Scale and selection of risk-based pressure ulcer prevention interventions. RESULTS: In the aggregate, RN generated reliable Braden Scale pressure ulcer risk assessments 65% of the time after training. The effect of Web-based Braden Scale training on reliability and precision of assessments varied according to familiarity with the scale. With training, new users of the scale made reliable assessments 84% of the time and significantly improved precision of their assessments. The reliability and precision of Braden Scale risk assessments made by its regular users was unaffected by training. CONCLUSION: Technology-assisted Braden Scale training improved both reliability and precision of risk assessments made by new users of the scale, but had virtually no effect on the reliability or precision of risk assessments made by regular users of the instrument. Further research is needed to determine best approaches for improving reliability and precision of Braden Scale assessments made by its regular users.     

Concordance of Shape Risk Scale,a new pressure ulcer risk tool,with Braden Scale

The occurrence of pressure ulcers was examined in a cross‐sectional study in 23 health care facilities and in home care involving 548 patients. The screening of pressure ulcer risk was assessed simultaneously using the Braden Scale and the new Shape Risk Scale (SRS), and the results were compared. The overall prevalence of pressure ulcers in the study population was 15·5% (85/548). The Braden Scale was performed as described in the literature. The direct concordance of the Braden and SRS scales was 46%. In more than 90% of cases, the SRS classified patients as well as or better than the Braden Scale. The SRS allocates patients significantly different from the Braden Scale into the risk categories, especially the difference is significant between the low and medium‐risk categories. The greatest advantage of SRS to Braden Scale is that it correctly identifies patients with low risk of pressure ulcers. It is interesting that the two risk scores, taking into consideration the basically different pathophysiological factors, can still give rather similar results. The users considered that both scales are easy to use.     

手术室压疮风险评估表在术中压疮高危患者中的应用

目的探讨手术室压疮风险评估表在术中压疮高危患者中的效果。方法选择2014年1～3月我科手术患者116例,随机分为两组,每组58例,对照组给予常规压疮预防护理,观察组在对照组基础上采用自制手术室压疮风险评估表进行评估,并对中重度危险的患者给予针对性预防措施。比较两组患者压疮发生情况。结果 2014年1～3月我科采用自制手术室压疮风险评估表评估高危患者58例,所有压疮风险评估正确,护理干预措施落实到位,观察组压疮发生1例,发生率为1.7%。对照组压疮发生6例,发生率为10.3%,两组患者压疮发生率比较差异有统计学意义（χ^2=4.435,P〈0.05）。结论应用自制手术室压疮风险评估表,使手术室护士能正确、客观评价患者各方面情况,正确的评估压疮高危患者,提高手术压疮风险的预见性,及时采取有效的护理干预措施,减少了术中压疮的发生。     

Subscales, subscores, or summative score: evaluating the contribution of Braden Scale items for predicting pressure ulcer risk in older adults receiving home health care.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether certain Braden subscales or subscores were more important than others or the summative score in predicting stage I to IV pressure ulcers among older adults receiving home health care. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study (secondary analysis) was used. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: The cohort sample included 1684 nonhospice patients who were not receiving intravenous therapy and who were admitted to the Intermittent Skilled Nursing Division of a large midwestern home health care agency between January 1995 and March 1996. The patients were > or =60 years and free of pressure ulcers. METHODS: Demographic data and data on the Braden Scale were extracted from admission information. Patient records were followed forward chronologically to 1 of 2 outcomes: development or absence of pressure ulcers (ie, free of pressure ulcers upon discharge, institutionalization, death, or the end of the study period). RESULTS: Following admission, a stage I to IV pressure ulcer developed in 107 subjects (incidence = 6.3%). Cox regression analysis revealed that activity and moisture subscale scores predicted pressure ulcer development. Regression modeling of individual Braden Scale subscores (response categories) revealed that problems with friction/shear, being very limited in mobility, and being constantly moist, very moist, or occasionally moist predicted pressure ulcer development. When the overall level of risk was added to each of these models, the Braden Scale summative score was most strongly related to pressure ulcer development. No simplified scale improved risk prediction. CONCLUSIONS: When the Braden Scale was used, the summative score rather than any subscale or subscore best predicted pressure ulcer risk among the older adults receiving home health care.     

Relationship between Braden scale score and pressure ulcer development in patients admitted in trauma intensive care unit

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the scores of Braden scale and pressure ulcer development among critically ill patients. All patients who admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) in 3 months (during July-October 2010) were surveyed with Braden scale. Patients who gained higher score of Braden scale were at lower risk for pressure ulcer development compared with the other patients. Braden scale is a useful tool for predicting pressure ulcer development in trauma ICU patients. Also, factors such as age and level of consciousness may influence pressure ulcer development.     

Evaluation of a protocol for prevention of facility-acquired heel pressure ulcers.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether identification of comorbidities (in addition to daily Braden scale assessment and early aggressive pressure reduction interventions) would impact the development of facility-acquired pressure ulcers (FAPU) of the heel. METHODS: Patients admitted to a 333-bed community hospital located 20 miles west of Chicago. Overall, 70 medical records were reviewed, while 242 adult patients (46 in the intervention groups and 196 in the control groups) and 24 nurses participated in the study. The study was conducted in 4 phases, including a retrospective chart audit, 2 prospective interventions, and a product evaluation. Phase 1 entailed a retrospective chart review of patients who were admitted with or developed heel pressure ulcers over a 2-year period to identify factors most predictive of skin breakdowns. Phase 2 included two 10-day aggressive assessment and tailored intervention periods. Phase 3 involved prevalence day assessments of effectiveness of interventions as compared to patients on control nursing units. Phase 4 involved a staff survey comparing effectiveness and satisfaction of the current and trial heel pressure-relieving products. FINDINGS: Risk factors for development of heel ulcers during hospital stay or prior to admission included type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), low albumin, and Braden scale score. During implementation of phase 2 (two 10-day assessment and tailored intervention periods), no heel FAPU were associated with the intervention. During the phase 3 FAPU prevalence assessment, 3 patients had facility-acquired heel ulcers; 2 were in the control group and would have met inclusion criteria if included in the intervention. One patient was in the intervention group but was not following the protocol. During phase 4, there were significant preferences for the trial heel pressure relief device on effectiveness, as well as patient and staff satisfaction. CONCLUSION: A pressure ulcer prevention protocol that incorporated accurate assessment of risk factors (Braden Scale and comorbidities) with frequent documentation of heel skin integrity had a positive impact on the incidence of heel FAPU. In addition, early aggressive implementation of pressure-reducing and pressure-relieving devices was effective in reducing FAPU rates.     

Reliability and validity of the Braden Scale for predicting pressure ulcer risk.

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.     

Clinical and epidemiologic evaluation of pressure ulcers in patients at a university hospital in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to measure the incidence of pressure ulcer development at a university health center in Turkey, and to determine whether the Waterlow Pressure Sore Risk (PSR) Scale score predicted pressure ulcer development, stage, or number of ulcers. DESIGN: We prospectively evaluated patients who were hospitalized at our university-based medical center. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: We analyzed data from 22,834 patients hospitalized at the Baskent University Adana Teaching and Medical Research Center in Ankara, Turkey from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004, including 360 patients who developed pressure ulcers. INSTRUMENTS: The Waterlow PSR Scale was used to assess pressure ulcer risk. In addition, age, sex, the ward or unit in which the patient was hospitalized, reason for hospitalization, and location and stage of ulcers were collected on a data form designed specifically for this study. METHODS: A single nurse physiotherapist assessed all patients daily during their hospitalization. When a pressure ulcer was diagnosed by the nurse physiotherapist, a physician staged the pressure ulcers based on the US National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) staging system. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty out of 22,834 patients developed 1 or more pressure ulcers, resulting in an incidence rate of 1.6%. Most ulcers (59.2%) occurred in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (n = 213). A positive correlation between the Waterlow PSR Scale score and number of ulcers per patient (r: 0.178, P < .01) was identified. No significant correlation was found linking Waterlow PSR Scale score and ulcer stage or the development of a single ulcer. CONCLUSION: We found significantly lower pressure ulcer incidence rates than those commonly reported in the literature, which we believe is principally attributable to short hospital stays and a strong emphasis on preventive nursing care. While high Waterlow PSR scale Scores correlated positively with development of multiple ulcers, this did not predict ulcer stage or the presence of a single pressure ulcer.     

Extended postoperative venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after bariatric surgery: a comparison of existing risk-stratification tools and 5-year MBSAQIP analysis

BackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of 30-day mortality after metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). Multiple predictive tools exist for VTE risk assessment and extended VTE chemoprophylaxis determination.ObjectiveTo review existing risk-stratification tools and compare their predictive abilities.SettingMBSAQIP database.MethodsRetrospective analysis of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) database was performed (2015–2019) for primary minimally invasive MBS cases. VTE clinical factors and risk-assessment tools were evaluated: body mass index threshold of 50 kg/m², Caprini risk-assessment model, and 3 bariatric-specific tools: the Cleveland Clinic VTE risk tool, the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative tool, and BariClot. MBS patients were deemed high risk based on criteria from each tool and further assessed for sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value.ResultsOverall, 709,304 patients were identified with a .37% VTE rate. Bariatric-specific tools included multiple predictors: procedure, age, race, gender, operative time, length of stay, heart failure, and dyspnea at rest; operative time was the only variable common to all. The body mass index cutoff and Caprini risk-assessment model had higher sensitivity but lower specificity when compared with the Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative and BariClot tools. While the sensitivity of the tools varied widely and was overall low, the Cleveland Clinic tool had the highest sensitivity. The bariatric-specific tools would have recommended extended prophylaxis for 1.1%–15.6% of patients.ConclusionsExisting MBS VTE risk-assessment tools differ widely for inclusion variables, high-risk definition, and predictive performance. Further research and registry inclusion of all significant risk factors are needed to determine the optimal risk-stratified approach for predicting VTE events and determining the need for extended prophylaxis.     

Waterlow危险因素评估表及分级护理法预防压疮效果观察

目的探讨应用Waterlow危险因素评估表及分级护理法预防压疮(PU)的效果。方法按入院顺序随机将838例患者分为观察组420例、对照组418例。观察组用Waterlow危险因素评估法及分级预防护理法,对照组行传统临床经验法及常规护理。结果观察组PU发生率为0.48%(2/420),对照组为4.78%(20/418),两组比较,χ2=15.21,P<0.01,差异有显著性意义。结论Waterlow危险因素评估法及分级护理法能有效控制压疮发生率,提高临床护理质量。     

ICU住院患者压疮发生危险因素的病例对照研究

目的探索ICU患者压疮发生相关危险因素,为采取针对性预防措施提供依据。方法参考相关文献拟定ICU患者压疮危险因素调查表,经专家审定后用于某三级甲等医院ICU住院患者资料的收集。365例患者纳入研究,将发生院内获得性压疮的164例归为病例组,符合纳入标准患者中方便抽取未发生压疮的201例归为对照组,以性别、年龄、手术、体温、Norton评分等19项变量进行探索性非配比病例对照研究。结果单因素分析除营养状态、体位、吸烟及白细胞数4项变量两组比较差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05)外,其余15项差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01);多因素Logistic回归分析显示年龄、住院时间、Norton评分、体温、APTT、白蛋白数、血红蛋白数是压疮影响因素(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论ICU住院患者压疮发生受多种因素的影响,应针对上述危险因素采取有据可依的预防措施,以降低压疮发生率。