Braden Scale in pressure ulcer risk assessment

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the applicability of the Braden Scale to individuals admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with the nursing diagnosis Impaired Physical Mobility, in its prediction potential to develop pressure ulcer (PU).

Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative study that evaluated all patients hospitalized in an ICU between November 2016 and February 2017, with the Braden Scale.

Results: The prevalence of PU was 35.8% (24/67), in male individuals 58.3% (14/24), diagnosed with ischemic CVA 51.9% (12/27), and with hemorrhagic CVA 7.4% (2/27). Among patients classified at severe risk of developing pressure ulcer, 83.3% (20/53) developed it, and 76.7% (33/53) did not develop it.

Conclusion: The performance of the Braden Scale showed a balance between sensitivity and specificity, confirming it as a better predictive risk assessment instrument in this group of patients.