Are nurses competent in utilizing the Braden Scale effectively for predicting the Pressure Ulcer Risk among African Americans?

Even though, the Braden Scale is considered effective and used continuously to determine pressure ulcer risk, pressure ulcer rates continue to climb, especially among Black African Americans (BAAs). Purpose:  The goal of this study was to analytically evaluate the competency of RNs for adequately predicting pressure ulcer risk.  Also, are staff RNs able to recognize stage I PUs in patients of different skin tones, Causcians, lighter and darker pigmented skin tone BAAs.  Method: The study was conducted on every unit in the hospital on all three shifts until 100 respondents were obtained.   Nurses consenting to participate were given the questionnaire, which was completed on site in the presence of the investigator in order to prevent contamination of the results.  Results: Based on results, further study is needed regarding nurses’ critical thinking and decision making skills when utilizing the Braden scale, especially when addressing the combined impact of aging and illness. Better clinical practice guidelines are needed to be addressed to help nurses be more definitive in their findings of identifying pressure ulcer risks to help with better recognition of pressure ulcers to help decrease the pressure ulcer risk among Black African Americans.  More current research is needed to address cultural competency in regards to utilizing the Braden Scale to evaluate Black African Americans. Outcomes: The Braden scale is a tool that can be used for early evaluation of pressure ulcer risk development.  It is a one of the key elements in application of evidence based interventions to prevent pressure ulcer risk.  Even though this tool is in place to help identify PU risk, overall identification of pressure ulcer risk and pressure ulcer identification remains challenging, especially among BAAs.  More research has to be done to continue to help identify the development of PUs earlier, especially among persons of color.