PubMed · 11933287
A simple severity index for pressure ulcers.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to design and test a pressure ulcer severity score based on assessment by experienced clinicians. Fifty pressure ulcers were each evaluated independently by seven experienced clinicians, using a scale that ranged from 0 (mildest damage) to 10 (most severe). Ulcer characteristics were analysed to determine which factors related to the assessments. A second set of 50 ulcers was used to test the validity of the resulting scoring system. Inter- and intra-observer reliability were tested in a further 10 pressure ulcers. A multivariate linear model was produced, based on the following three variables: colour (CO-matched-matched) in the wound base; depth (DE) of the ulcer; and mean diameter (D) of the wound ('CODED'). The coefficients for each variable were rounded to yield points in an additive equation, the CODED score. This score had a high correlation (r = 0.92, P < 0.001) with the second set of evaluations, used to test the score performance. The CODED score is a simple and valid tool to quantify the progress of a pressure ulcer. It has a high correlation with the severity assessment of experienced clinicians and is reliable when used by non-experienced observers.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
J I Emparanza, P Aranegui, M M Ruiz, E Perez. 2000. A simple severity index for pressure ulcers.. https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2000.9.2.25954
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.