How often should the Braden scale be completed in acute care settings?

The Braden scale is a tool used to assess a patient's risk for developing pressure injuries based on various factors such as sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction or shear. In acute care settings, it is crucial to monitor changes in a patient's condition frequently, especially since patients can have variable risk levels based on their health status, treatments, and overall mobility.

Completing the Braden scale daily allows healthcare providers to promptly identify any changes in risk factors and intervene appropriately. This frequency ensures that any fluctuations in the patient's condition are captured while providing opportunities for timely adjustments to care plans aimed at pressure injury prevention. By assessing the patient once every 24 hours, nurses can stay vigilant in a setting where the patient's health can change significantly and quickly.

While other frequencies like every hour, once per shift, or weekly may seem reasonable, they do not align with the best practices for monitoring at-risk patients in an acute care environment. Daily assessments strike an optimal balance, ensuring that patients are continuously evaluated while avoiding the inefficiencies of more frequent assessments that may not yield significant changes.