Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society
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J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs · Jan 1998
Pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence and a modification of the Braden Scale for a rehabilitation unit.
We examined pressure ulcer incidence and prevalence, the cutoff score for risk for skin breakdown, and the contribution of each of the subscale risk factors of the Braden pressure ulcer risk-assessment tool in an inpatient rehabilitation unit. ⋯ The mean prevalence rate of 12% was comparable, and the incidence rate of 6% for this unit was lower, compared with other skilled care and rehabilitation settings reported in the literature. The proactive, interdisciplinary approach to skin integrity on this unit likely contributed to the lower incidence rate. Risk factors most predictive of pressure ulcer development in this sample were moisture, nutrition, and friction and shear. Predicting risk for skin breakdown with use of a consistent risk-assessment tool is essential for all rehabilitation patients. Assessing risk with the Braden Scale merits further research.