Braden Index

The Braden Scale: Identifying Patients at Risk of Pressure Ulcers

The Braden Scale Calculator

The Braden Scale calculator is a valuable tool that helps identify patients who are at risk of developing pressure ulcers. It uses six criteria to assess the patient's risk and provides a score that stratifies the risk level.

Criteria for the Braden Scale Calculator

The six criteria used in the Braden Scale calculator include: * Sensory perception: The patient's ability to feel sensations in the skin * Moisture: The amount of moisture present on the skin * Activity: The patient's ability to move and reposition themselves * Mobility: The patient's ability to change positions * Nutrition: The patient's nutritional status * Friction and shear: The amount of friction and shear forces acting on the skin

Using the Braden Scale Calculator

To use the Braden Scale calculator, simply input the patient's score for each of the six criteria. The calculator will then generate a score that ranges from 6 to 23. * Scores less than 9: High risk of pressure ulcers * Scores between 10 and 12: Moderate risk of pressure ulcers * Scores between 13 and 15: Low risk of pressure ulcers * Scores between 16 and 18: Very low risk of pressure ulcers * Scores of 19 or more: No risk of pressure ulcers

Limitations of the Braden Scale Calculator

It's important to note that the Braden Scale calculator is only one part of a comprehensive assessment for pressure ulcer risk. Other factors, such as the patient's medical history and current health status, should also be considered.