Keywords

Braden QD Scale, Braden Q Scale, Braden Scale, hospital-acquired pressure injury, pediatric assessment, pressure injury, pressure ulcer, risk prediction

Authors

1. Chamblee, Tracy B. PhD, RN
2. Pasek, Tracy A. DNP, RN
3. Caillouette, Catherine N. MS, RN
4. Stellar, Judith J. MSN, RN
5. Quigley, Sandy M. MSN, RN
6. Curley, Martha A. Q. PhD, RN, FAAN

Abstract

The Braden QD Scale is a conceptually based, pediatric-specific, risk assessment instrument that reliably predicts both immobility-related and medical device-related pressure injuries in the pediatric acute care environment. A revision and simplification of the commonly used Braden Q Scale, the Braden QD Scale can be used to assess risk among the wide range of infants, children, and adolescents commonly treated in acute care environments. As part of a comprehensive program to prevent hospital-acquired pressure injuries, the Braden QD Scale promotes patient safety, quality of care and care monitoring, and effective resource use in pediatric hospitalized patients. The authors provide guidance on using the Braden QD Scale to assess pediatric patients and score their risk of pressure-related injury in numerous scenarios frequently encountered in acute care practice.