[The Braden Scale--validity and reliability of a measuring tool for decubitus risk factors]

In this article the results of explorative research into the validity and reliability of a Dutch version of the Bradenscale are described. The Bradenscale is a risk assessment tool for measuring the risk of developing pressure sores. With a prospective longitudinal design the Bradenscale has been investigated in a hospital and a community setting in Belgium and the Netherlands. Results of the research in hospital indicate a fair to moderate agreement with respect to interraterreliability and a reasonable amount of predictive validity. In the community care setting interraterreliability indicates slight to fair agreement while predictive validity could not be established due to several reasons. Further research into the Bradenscale is recommended considering the limited research population in both studies and the results in community care.