Predictive Validity of the Braden Scale for Patients in Intensive Care Units

Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) have a higher incidence of pressure ulcers than general hospital patients.1 In the United States, the prevalence of pressure ulcers in ICUs was from 16.6% to 20.7% in 20092 and the incidence in acute care settings can be as high as 38%.3 Defined as an injury of an area of skin and underlying tissue related to prolonged pressure against the skin, a pressure ulcer may be acquired or may substantially worsen during hospitalization.4 As a result, the cost and length of both ICU and hospital stays can increase, and patients’ quality of life can be diminished by pain and infection.3 An estimated 2.5 million patients are treated annually in acute care settings in the United States, and the estimated annual expenditure for treating pressure ulcers is $11 billion; however, pressure ulcers are largely preventable.3 Therefore, accurate risk assessment is critical, particularly in high-risk populations such as ICU patients, in order to encourage effective implementation of targeted preventive measures.