The Braden Scale: A Dynamic Tool?

The Braden Scale is a fixture in wound care circles that helps clinicians predict pressure ulcer risk. It is also the source of growing controversy. The problem seems to be that with continually increasing use, practitioners are discovering its limitations. A February 2012 article provides a meta-analysis of its use in surgical patients and upcoming articles in OWM will reflect on its ability to accurately assess risk among ICU patients. Some studies are finding that the overall Braden Scale score is not as informative as particular subscores.

The Braden Scale has been tweaked for use in children (the Braden-Q). As we discover more about pressure ulcer risk factors (eg, serum albumin levels may not provide dependable implication for risk), it is not unreasonable to anticipate clinicians making further modifications to this tried-and-true tool in wound care.