Validity of the Walsall Community Pressure Sore Risk Calculator

The Walsall Community Risk Score Calculator has been in use for the past 8 years. Outcomes from a trust-wide prevalence audit identified that this assessment tool may benefit from re-evaluation. This study examined the tool's validity and reliability and has resulted in some changes being made to the original score. To assess validity, a cross-sectional study of 720 patients was undertaken looking at the incidence of pressure damage, despite intervention, over a 12-week period. Using logistic regression analysis new weightings for each category were developed. This also led to the removal of one factor (bodily pain) which did not appear to contribute to increased risk of pressure damage. The updated score shows an improved prediction of pressure sore development compared with the existing method.