This is a prospective and longitudinal study which aimed to introduce the Braden Scale (BS) as an instrument to predict the risk of pressure ulcer (PU), and to analyze the results of its use in an intensive care unit. The sample was of 74 patients and the data were obtained by an instrument containing BS. Such data were analyzed by a simple descriptive statistic. 58 patients (78.37%) had a score < 13 and PU incidence of 25.67%. In 45 patients (60.80%), BS was daily filled in. From these patients, 5 (11.10%) developed PU. In 29 patients (39.10%), BS was not daily filled in. From these patients, 14 (48.20%) showed PU. Results showed the efficiency of BS, which allowed identifying patients with PU risk. The difficulties of using BS refer to the periodic filling, which shows the need to educate and prepare nurses to use BS in the care of patients.
Pressure ulcer; Risk assessment; Intensive care units
