Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of braden scale to assess pressure ulcer risk patients and to identify additional risk factors of pressure sores in an neurologic intensive care unit.
METHOD
The subjects of this study were 66 patients in neurologic intensive care units. Data was prospectively collected from Sep. to Dec., 2002. Data were analyzed by mean, percentage, t-test, chi-square, discriminant analysis using Spss pc+.
RESULT
The results of this study were as follows: 1) There was a significant difference between scoring of braden scale and pressure ulcer development. The subscales that predicted pressure ulcer development using braden scale only were sensory perception, moisture, mobility, friction and shear. By using these subscales, sensitivity was 86.7%, and specificity was 61.1%, and total hit ratio was 72.7%. 2) Additional pressure ulcer risk factors which showed significance for discriminating two group were protein, albumin, gender, level of consciousness, pattern of bowel elimination. By using the combination of these additional risk factors in addition to the braden scale, total hit ratio increased to 84.8%.
CONCLUSION
This data suggest that albumin, protein, gender, level of consciousness, pattern of bowel elimination in addition to the braden scale should be included in the pressure sore assessment tool.

• Keywords: Pressure sore; Braden scale