| Home health nurses' ability to prevent and manage pressure ulcers is dependent upon accurate identification of clients at risk. In this two-month prospective study of 42 bedbound or chairfast clients of a large metropolitan Visiting Nurse Association (VNA), the pressure ulcer incidence rate was determined, and the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk was evaluated for predictive validity.; A 9.5% incidence of pressure ulcers was observed. The Braden Scale was 100% sensitive and had a 100% predictive value of a negative test using a cut-off score of 14. Its specificity (18%) and predictive value of a positive test (11%) were lower than studies performed in other settings. Further research is indicated to determine the costs of caring for home health patients with pressure ulcers and the effectiveness of pressure ulcer prevention programs in the home health care setting. |
