A Comparison of Predictive Validity of the Norton Scale, the Daly Scale and the Braden Scale

The purpose of this study was to compare the predictive ability of three tools (the Norton Scale, the Braden Scale and the Daly Scale) to predict risk of skin breakdown in a hospitalized population. Neuman's theoretical framework served as the organizational framework for the study.; A convenience sample of 27 patients who were admitted to one of three medical/surgical floors in an acute care hospital were selected for the study. The Braden Scale and the Norton 14 each identified 50% of those subjects who developed pressure ulcers. The Norton Scale 12 identified 96% of those subjects without pressure ulcers who were not predicted and had the lowest false positive rate at 4%. The lowest false negative rate was scored by the Braden and Norton 14 at 50%. The Norton 12 scored highest at 33% for predictive value of a positive test while all three scales scored high at 95% and 96% for predictive value of a negative test.