Examining Validity of Three Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Scales

Objective To examine the predictive validity of Norton,Braden and Waterlow scales for assessing pressure ulcer risk among inpatients in Xinjiang province.Methods A total of 500 inpatients were randomly selected and were assessed by using Norton,Braden and Waterlow scale,and their skin integrity were examined.Sensitivity(Se),specificity(Sp) of the 3 scales were calculated.Results The occurrence rate of pressure ulcers was 2.8%.For the whole population,Braden scale showed good predictive validity(Se=0.8571,Sp=0.7160),for the Han nationality,Braden scale was more sensitive(Se=0.8750,Sp=0.7438),while for the minority patients in Xinjiang province,Waterlow scale was more competent(Se=0.8333,Sp=0.7366).Conclusion It is suggested to use Braden scale as first choice for evaluating pressure ulcer risks;and for the minority patients,it should use Waterlow scale together.