Risk assessment tools for the prevention of pressure ulcers

Abstract

Despite the widespread use of risk assessment tools for the assessment of individuals' risk of developing pressure ulcers, no randomised trials exist that compare them with unaided clinical judgement or no risk assessment in terms of rates of pressure ulceration. Therefore, we cannot conclude whether the use of structured, systematic pressure ulcer risk assessment tools, in any health care setting, reduces the incidence of pressure ulcers. The effect of structured risk assessment tools on pressure ulcer incidence needs to be evaluated.

Validity of the Waterlow scale and risk of pressure injury in acute care

“…Consequently, efforts to ensure that patients are adequately nourished and are frequently mobilised while in hospital may offer greater benefit than screening, which may provide a false sense of security in the belief that 'something is being done'. We agree with findings from a recent Cochrane review (Moore and Cowman, 2008) that a suitably powered randomised controlled trial is urgently needed to provide definitive evidence about the usefulness of the Waterlow screening tool and to 'put it to bed' if it is shown to be no better than clinical judgement.…”

Validity of the Waterlow scale and risk of pressure injury in acute care

“…Consequently, efforts to ensure that patients are adequately nourished and are frequently mobilised while in hospital may offer greater benefit than screening, which may provide a false sense of security in the belief that 'something is being done'. We agree with findings from a recent Cochrane review (Moore and Cowman, 2008) that a suitably powered randomised controlled trial is urgently needed to provide definitive evidence about the usefulness of the Waterlow screening tool and to 'put it to bed' if it is shown to be no better than clinical judgement.…”

Examination of risk scores to better predict hospital‐related harms

“…Our results are consistent with the well documented limitation of prediction scores to quantify risk of harm, including a Cochrane review . The wide range of different scores developed to assess harm risk and the inability of multiple systematic reviews and meta‐analyses to identify well validated, high accuracy risk scores highlights this issue.…”

Pressure ulcer prevalence and prevention practices in care of the older person in the Republic of Ireland

“…Risk assessment is the first step in the development in pressure ulcer prevention (Moore & Cowman 2008). It is important that this assessment is followed by the development of a care plan which is then implemented and evaluated (Moore & Cowman 2008).…”

“…Risk assessment is the first step in the development in pressure ulcer prevention (Moore & Cowman 2008). It is important that this assessment is followed by the development of a care plan which is then implemented and evaluated (Moore & Cowman 2008). The importance of this is multi‐fold; to ensure the provision of safe clinical care for the patient, to act as a means of communication between team members and to fulfil the legal and ethical responsibilities of staff (Dimond 2003).…”

Validity of the Waterlow scale and risk of pressure injury in acute care

“…Consequently, efforts to ensure that patients are adequately nourished and are frequently mobilised while in hospital may offer greater benefit than screening, which may provide a false sense of security in the belief that 'something is being done'. We agree with findings from a recent Cochrane review (Moore and Cowman, 2008) that a suitably powered randomised controlled trial is urgently needed to provide definitive evidence about the usefulness of the Waterlow screening tool and to 'put it to bed' if it is shown to be no better than clinical judgement.…”

Examination of risk scores to better predict hospital‐related harms

“…Our results are consistent with the well documented limitation of prediction scores to quantify risk of harm, including a Cochrane review . The wide range of different scores developed to assess harm risk and the inability of multiple systematic reviews and meta‐analyses to identify well validated, high accuracy risk scores highlights this issue.…”

Pressure ulcer prevalence and prevention practices in care of the older person in the Republic of Ireland

“…Risk assessment is the first step in the development in pressure ulcer prevention (Moore & Cowman 2008). It is important that this assessment is followed by the development of a care plan which is then implemented and evaluated (Moore & Cowman 2008).…”

“…Risk assessment is the first step in the development in pressure ulcer prevention (Moore & Cowman 2008). It is important that this assessment is followed by the development of a care plan which is then implemented and evaluated (Moore & Cowman 2008). The importance of this is multi‐fold; to ensure the provision of safe clinical care for the patient, to act as a means of communication between team members and to fulfil the legal and ethical responsibilities of staff (Dimond 2003).…”

Validity of the Waterlow scale and risk of pressure injury in acute care

“…Consequently, efforts to ensure that patients are adequately nourished and are frequently mobilised while in hospital may offer greater benefit than screening, which may provide a false sense of security in the belief that 'something is being done'. We agree with findings from a recent Cochrane review (Moore and Cowman, 2008) that a suitably powered randomised controlled trial is urgently needed to provide definitive evidence about the usefulness of the Waterlow screening tool and to 'put it to bed' if it is shown to be no better than clinical judgement.…”

Examination of risk scores to better predict hospital‐related harms

“…Our results are consistent with the well documented limitation of prediction scores to quantify risk of harm, including a Cochrane review . The wide range of different scores developed to assess harm risk and the inability of multiple systematic reviews and meta‐analyses to identify well validated, high accuracy risk scores highlights this issue.…”

Pressure ulcer prevalence and prevention practices in care of the older person in the Republic of Ireland

“…Risk assessment is the first step in the development in pressure ulcer prevention (Moore & Cowman 2008). It is important that this assessment is followed by the development of a care plan which is then implemented and evaluated (Moore & Cowman 2008).…”

“…Risk assessment is the first step in the development in pressure ulcer prevention (Moore & Cowman 2008). It is important that this assessment is followed by the development of a care plan which is then implemented and evaluated (Moore & Cowman 2008). The importance of this is multi‐fold; to ensure the provision of safe clinical care for the patient, to act as a means of communication between team members and to fulfil the legal and ethical responsibilities of staff (Dimond 2003).…”