Complications of adapting pressure ulcer risk assessment scales

British Journal of Nursing : BJN
Miles E Maylor

Abstract

This article challenges recommendations to adapt a pressure ulcer risk assessment scale (RAS) according to the clinical context. The transformation of the Cubbin and Jackson (1991) RAS is used to illustrate problems in scale development. When new factors are added to an existing scale, this can lead to unnecessary complexity. When words are changed by a person developing a scale this illustrates their differing beliefs and value judgements. Arbitrary scores for factors are misleading and in some cases mystifying, yet appear to be objective. This article suggests that the relationship between sub-scales and the whole scale have not been adequately accounted for -- they can't simply be added up arithmetically. The paradox of risk is debated, namely, that the more something is thought to be a risk, the less risky it becomes. RASs should be replaced by risk reduction scales linking a risk factor with its outcome following intervention.

References

Mar 1, 1991·Intensive Care Nursing·B Cubbin, C Jackson
Dec 1, 1995·Intensive & Critical Care Nursing : the Official Journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses·M T Lowery
Dec 14, 1999·Intensive & Critical Care Nursing : the Official Journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses·C Jackson
Mar 10, 2001·British Journal of Nursing : BJN·M E Maylor
Jan 5, 2002·International Journal of Nursing Studies·Panos PapanikolaouPatricia A Lyne
Apr 27, 2002·Nursing Standard·P A LyneE Lycett
May 2, 2003·Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers : a Journal of the Psychonomic Society, Inc·Lawrence T DeCarlo
Feb 18, 2004·Nursing Standard·Christine J Harcombe
Mar 6, 2004·Orthopaedic Nursing·Sarah Jo Brown
Nov 19, 2004·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Tom Defloor, Maria F H Grypdonck
Apr 27, 2005·The International Journal of Eating Disorders·Cynthia M BulikTed Reichborn-Kjennerud
Jun 1, 2005·British Journal of Nursing : BJN·Deirdre Thompson
Feb 2, 1996·Journal of Wound Care·B Gilchrist

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Citations

Apr 28, 2010·Journal of Tissue Viability·Denis AnthonyMona Baharestani
Aug 2, 2007·Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing : Official Publication of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society·Laura Bolton

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