BradenScore

The Braden Score, commonly referred to as the Braden Scale, is a clinical tool used to predict a patient’s risk of developing pressure ulcers. It is widely employed by nurses in acute care, long-term care, and home-health settings to guide preventive skin care and mobilization strategies.

The score derives from six subscales: sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction and shear. Each subscale is scored from 1 to 4 (friction and shear from 1 to 3). The subscale scores are summed to yield a total between 6 and 23, with lower totals indicating greater risk.

The Braden Scale was developed by Barbara Braden and colleagues and introduced in 1987 as The Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk. It has since become one of the most widely used risk-assessment tools and has undergone validation studies across diverse patient populations.

Use and interpretation: Care teams administer the Braden Score on admission and at regular intervals or when the patient’s condition changes. The score informs prevention plans, including turning schedules, pressure-relieving surfaces, skin care, and nutrition support, and is intended to complement clinical judgment.

Limitations include potential inter-rater variability and the possibility that some patient-specific risk factors are not captured. The Braden Score does not diagnose ulcers and cannot predict exact onset; it should be used alongside other assessments and ongoing clinical monitoring.