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Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of tissue tolerance testing compared to the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk©.
Methods: Retrospective chart review on a convenience sample of 89 nursing facility residents. Time to erythema (TTE) and the BradenScale were conducted on admission, readmission, and quarterly. Incontinent residents were assigned a repositioning schedule of at least every 2 hours. Braden Scale subscales scores for mobility and activity correspond to TTE in the bed and chair, respectively.
Results: The weighted Kappa statistic between TTE_Bed and the BradenScale Total Score was κ = 0.04, (95% CI: 0.002, 0.07) and TTE_Chair and the BradenScale Total Score was κ = 0.01, (95% CI: -0.01, 0.04). Agreement between TTE_Bed and BradenScale _Mobility was κ = .09 (95% CI: -0.05, 0.23) and between TTE_Chair and BradenScale _Activity was κ = 0.07 (95% CI: -0.05, 0.19). Correlation between the BradenScale _Mobility and total interventions for bed mobility was r = -0.64 (p <.0001) and for BradenScale _Activity and activity interventions was r = -0.42, (p < .0001). Correlation for TTE_Bed and mobility interventions was r = 0.21 (p = 0.047), and for TTE_Chair and activity interventions was r = -0.16 (p = 0.15).
Conclusions: There was weak agreement between mobility and activity measures and TTE in the bed or chair. BradenScale subscale scores were superior in identifying the number of interventions specifically targeted to reduce risk associated with in-bed mobility and out-of-bed chair activity.