BRADEN SCALE FOR PREDICTING PRESSURE ULCER

The Braden Scale is a standardized risk tool used in health care facilities and when calculated appropriately, the overall score should reflect a person who may be at risk for skin breakdown . Scores can range between 6 to 23. The lower the score the higher is the risk for the potential development of a pressure ulcer thereby indicating that preventive interventions should  be immediately be in place and communicated by means of an individualized care plan to health care providers for continuity of care.  Also considering other risk factors such as age, having darkly pigmented skin as well as co-morbidities such as cardio-pulmonary issues, can lower the overall risk score and be a strong indicator for the potential of impaired skin integrity.  NOTE: Moisture  should be scored based on the frequency of changing under pads and/or doing incontinence care and not the changing of the bed linen/sheets. Also if a person has some impaired immobility and/or is bedfast and/or is overweight/obese/loss of muscle mass,  the friction/shear score should be scored as a "problem". It is better to have a lower risk score with preventive interventions in place than to have a higher score with no interventions and have a pressure ulcer occur!