Reliability and validity of the Braden Scale for predicting pressure ulcer risk.

Multiple tools have been developed to assist nurses and other care providers to identify and quantify pressure ulcer risk. One of the most widely used tools is the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Ulcer Risk. It has been in use for 2 decades and multiple studies have individually reported on its reliability and validity. This article summarizes the reliability and validity of the instrument, and discusses implications for its use in clinical and research settings. The Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Ulcer Risk has generally performed well in the clinical setting. It has demonstrated reliability and validity in multiple clinical settings, and its parsimonious format enhances incorporation into routine clinical practice. Expanding the instrument may further increase its reliability and validity in the research setting.