International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 39, Issue 2 , Pages 187-194, February 2002

Improving the accuracy of pressure ulcer risk calculators: some preliminary evidence

  • Panos Papanikolaou

      Affiliations

    • Nursing, Health and Social Care Research Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, Wales CF14 4XN, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +44-29-2074-2917; fax: +44-29-2074-5521
  • ,
  • Michael Clark

      Affiliations

    • Wound Healing Research Unit, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, Wales CF14 4XN, UK
  • ,
  • Patricia A Lyne

      Affiliations

    • Nursing, Health and Social Care Research Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, Wales CF14 4XN, UK

Received 7 November 2000; received in revised form 23 February 2001; accepted 9 March 2001.

Abstract 

This study presents data from a prospective cohort study of 213 in-patient admissions of people over 65. Logit analysis was used to investigate the relative contribution of a range of risk factors to the risk of pressure ulcer occurrence, as a basis for development of improved risk assessment tools. It was found that for this population, a model containing the Waterlow risk factors appetite, continence, skin condition and age, plus diagnosis, performed better than one based on the complete set of Waterlow factors. Gender was not significant. A diagnosis of cancer was positively associated with pressure ulcer occurrence but presence of Parkinson's disease had the opposite effect.

Keywords:  Risk assessment scales, Pressure ulcer, Clinical effectiveness, Multivariate analysis

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PII: S0020-7489(01)00011-6

International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 39, Issue 2 , Pages 187-194, February 2002