Waterlow Assessment Tool Essays

Althought the Waterlow score is used in the community setting when calculating the risk assessment score it is vital that the nurse is aware of the difference in environment the tool was originally developed for.The scale illustrates a risk assessment scoring system and on the reverse side provides information and guidance on wound assessment, dressings and also preventative aids.When using the Waterlow tool to assess Mrs A’s pressure risk I found she had a score of 9... Assessment of the intrinsic factors that may increase a person’s risk of pressure ulcer development usually involves the use of a formal assessment tool such as Waterlow (2005, 1985) or Braden (Bergstrom et al, 1987).The use of the Waterlow tool enables the nurse to ass...

In this section of the Waterlow assessment, the patient’s age and gender is scored.Despite the popularity of the Waterlow scale there has been little assessment of its reliability or validity (Bridel 1993, Smith et al 1995).Neurological deficits are a necessary assessment in the Waterlow assessment as any neurological deficit and the link with developing pressure sores is widely recognised.The Waterlow assessment tool is an important piece of the assessment process as it clearly highlights the individual factors that can and will contribute to the formation of ulcers.I found the Waterlow assessment scale very beneficial to myself as it aided me to assess Mr Jones effectively and put together an effective plan of care.

The Waterlow assessment was created by Judy Waterlow (1985), it is a tool created to assist health practitioners to assess whether a patient is at risk of developing pressure ulcers, it is by far the most frequently used assessment tool in the UK (Judy-waterlow.co.uk 2007).In order to maintain Mr Adams’s privacy and dignity the curtains were drawn around the patient throughout the whole assessment.This lack of validity could be due to the reliability being placed on the clinical judgement of the health professional conducting the assessment to accurately report findings (Kelly 2005), for example by not properly assessing a patients tissue viability or by not asking about a patients past history of pressure ulcers may could lead to a unde...

When using the Waterlow tool to assess Mrs A’s pressure risk, I found she had a score of 9.Although The Waterlow scale covers a number of factors that need to be considered, throughout the assessment, it has become evident that the ‘at risk’ score, can often be over or under scored depending on the practitioner.This assignment, will include brief overviews, of some the other commonly used pressure ulcer risk assessment tools, that are put to use by practitioners and how they compare to the Waterlow Scale.The assessment tool used throughout my area of work, is the Waterlow Scale.I used a variety of search terms including ‘pressure sores’, ‘Grade 1 classification’, ‘Waterlow Scale’, and ‘How pressure sore risk assessment tools compare’.

When using the Waterlow tool to assess Mrs A’s pressure risk, I found she had a score of 9.The assessment tool used throughout my area of work, is the Waterlow Scale.I used a variety of search terms including ‘pressure sores’, ‘Grade 1 classification’, ‘Waterlow Scale’, and ‘How pressure sore risk assessment tools compare’.Although The Waterlow scale covers a number of factors that need to be considered, throughout the assessment, it has become evident that the ‘at risk’ score, can often be over or under scored depending on the practitioner.This assignment, will include brief overviews, of some the other commonly used pressure ulcer risk assessment tools, that are put to use by practitioners and how they compare to the Waterlow Scale.

Mrs Ford will be assessed using the Waterlow tool.Using the data collected, the Waterlow prevention tool indicates that Mrs Ford is at high risk (Waterlow, 2005c).Waterlow is the most widely used tool out of more than 40 different risk assessment tools (Thompson, 2005).The Waterlow assessment tool is comprehensive and encompasses some previously unused concepts of risk, but some of the sections are open to interpretation (Papanikolaou et al., 2007).Using the appropriate multidisciplinary assessment for falls is the key to falls prevention and intervention (Kenny et al., 2013) The results from the assessment indicate she is at risk because she is currently having difficulty walking, is on anti-hypertensive drugs and her clinical observati...

Mrs Briggs will be assessed using the Waterlow tool.Specific tools used to gather relevant assessment data include the Waterlow, Falls and MUST assessment forms.Using the data collected, the Waterlow prevention tool indicates that Mrs Briggs is at high risk (Waterlow, 2005c).The Waterlow assessment tool is comprehensive and encompasses some previously unused concepts of risk, but some of the sections are open to interpretation (Papanikolaou et al.Mrs Briggs will also be assessed using the inpatient falls assessment tool.

There is a proof that demonstrates that pressure ulcer risk assessment tools are valuable and useful when utilized as an aide for the obtainment of equipment.In spite of the fact that The Waterlow scale covers various variables that need to be considered all through the assessment process, it has become apparent that the “at risk” score, can frequently be over or under scored relying upon the health care practitioner’s clinical judgement.Even though the Waterlow scale identifies more risk factors than the other two assessment tools and widely used across the United Kingdom, it has still be criticised for its ability to over predict risk and ultimately result in the misuse of resource.It has been highlighted, that to guarantee holistic as...

However, the Waterlow scale is specifically designed for adults and therefore it is not appropriate to be use on children.According to Waterlow (1985), recommended care interventions are available with each recommendation corresponding to the risk score parameters of the Waterlow scale.Risk is integral to nursing and the assessment of risk is one of the most common judgements nurses make.When considering risk assessment and risk reduction, it is important that the initial assessment of risk is accurate.Most nurses are familiar with the use of pressure sore risk assessment tools such as the Braden or Waterlow scales.

Most paediatric pressure ulcer risk assessment scales were developed using clinical experience, or by modifying adult scales Bedi (1993).It is imperative that nurses use suitable risk assessment tools as a guide to enable them to make effective decisions.For patients there is the Waterlow score – risk of pressure sores and ulcers, the MUST tool – Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, FRAT – Falls Risk Assessment Tool and Pain Assessment Tools are only to name a few and they are commonly used in clinical practice.I feel confident in looking out for any risks involving the EWS and Pressure ulcer risk assessment tools while out in practice and believe that using these tools correctly can ultimately save lives.In learning disability and men...

The needs identified during the assessment process have to be implemented and care plans introduced.Waterlow (2005) first designed this tool for students use in 1985.It has shown that nurses have to obtain data by using a various number of different sources, from assessment tools to observing patients behaviour.The waterlow score is to determine whether a patient is at risk of developing a pressure ulcer (Waterlow, 2005).It is the most frequent risk assessment tool in the United Kingdom (UK), and is used throughout hospitals, nursing homes and within the community.

I analyzed from this event that first step to become competent in this skill is to learn a proper risk assessment skill using one of the risk assessment tools because prevention is always better than cure.The next step after the assessment is planning.It could have been possible to prevent Mrs. N from getting that worse ulcer by carrying out assessment based on one of these scales.While in Mrs. N’s case she has been in the nursing home for a long time so her assessment should have been ongoing as she was prone to develop it.These scales known as Norton scale, Waterlow scale and Branden scale (Norton et al.

Another risk assessment tool that may be used to identify the integrity of the skin and the risk of infection is the Waterlow risk assessment scale.Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) is a nutritional assessment tool used to identify patients at risk of malnutrition.It is the intention of this essay to explain the importance of infection control in practice and the pathway of this will follow the five-step model of risk assessment (Health and Safety Executive 2006), which includes looking for the hazards, identifying who may be harmed and how, evaluating the risk, recording the findings and reflecting the importance of infection control.Nurses performed a nutritional screening on Mr. A., using this tool and depending on the resu...

These are : pressure cushions or mattresses which can be used on chairs, wheelchairs and beds These can be already made of condensed foam ,gel or combination of both, electric air wave which is designed to accommodate client’s weight and relieve pressure according to this, cell blow up or deplete giving constant pressure in slightly different areas of the body or simple repose which is blow up cushion and needs pumping up prior to the use..Using slide sheets and /or hoist for re-positioning can prevent pressure ulcers development.Pressure risk assessment form( Waterlow scoring) should be filled in by health professionals, updated regularly and kept in the client’s file.I also work with community nurses and part of my clinical competences...

Risk assessment tools are meant as a part of holistic assessment and not to replace clinical judgment.The wound assessment should be documented on an appropriate wound assessment tool, within 24 hours of admission to a hospital setting and within one week of referral to primary care.All patients with wounds will need to have a holistic assessment, including environment, cause, location, site, dimensions, exudates amount and type, nutritional status, local signs of infection, pain, wound appearance, surrounding skin, undermining/ tracking, odour, assessment of the skin as a sensory organ and the patient’s knowledge and understanding of their wound and general condition.An appropriate risk assessment tool should assess only necessary facto...

The Waterlow risk assessment tool was used to assess Mr Elliot’s risk in regards to the development of pressure ulcers.On assessment of Mr Elliot it was established that he is completely dependent in activities of daily living concerning communication, mobility bathing, dressing, continence and feeding, he has gradually lost the ability to walk and is wheelchair bound.Mr Eliot’s plan of care was guided by information gained from the holistic assessment and the Waterlow assessment, on evaluation of the Waterlow assessment, Mr Eliot’s age alongside his incontinence, restricted mobility skin integrity and dementia placed him in the high risk group of people at risk of pressure ulcers.Nice guidelines for The Management and Prevention of Pres...

The tool identifies three ‘at risk’ categories, .Equipment Up to date information on equipment can be found on the internet.Training if you are not trained to use equipments then do not use check equipment prior to using for tears in sling or sheets,battery life,brakes ,nothing missing or broken do not use equipment on own even if you feel you can these equipments require two people for a reason to rpevent sheering and cauce discomfort to resdient check care plans what is been assesed to use on resident if condtion has worsend then seek help from senior or nurse mangamenet in order to change the care plan by implementing another risk assessment .It is a legal requirement for those acessing day care, residential or nurisng care that they...

Roper et al(2000,p.124) pointed out that assessment which is considered to be the first phase of the nursing process should be done regularly and not only once.The patient was also assessed using the Waterlow Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Tool and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool(MUST).>To assess healing and as basis for treatment.In the chart it says there that although the later was incorporated to Waterlow, they should be assessed individually to ensure patient needs are addressed and their care was implemented (Waterlow 1985, Revised 2005).Although Mrs P got an infection, her temperature during assessment was 36.8 degree Celsius, no sweating noted, skin warm to touch, uses only hospital gown and dressing gown to keep her war...

Assessments were previously done to assess the needs of Miss Adams nutrition.As the student nurse was assisting Miss Adams she was always observing the skin keeping an eye out for any breaking or bruising of the skin and keeping in my mind the waterlow scale for signs of pressure sores (Waterlow, 2005).Nurses need to be aware of contributing factors and be sensitive to patient’s beliefs and values in order to provide holistic care, therefore a comprehensive assessment is essential (Dougherty and Lister, 2004).Another important part of personal care is for the student nurse to assess the faeces and urine each time Miss Adams has her pad changed, looking for signs of urine infections and also diarrhea and constipation, this can be done by ...

For the Waterlow risk assessment scale the teacher activity planned was questioning the students and clarifying subsections and reading from handouts.Stephen-Haynes J Pressure ulcer risk assessment and prevention British Journal of Community Nursing Vol 9, No 12 540-44 .Waterlow J (1985) A risk assessment card.The of the teaching session was “to develop an understanding of the principles of pressure ulcer risk assessment.” The were “At the end of this teaching session students should be able to: ..Waterlow J (2005) Pressure sores – Symptom (online).

With the waterlow pressure ulcer risk assessment tool among the seven assessment studies conducted by pancorbo-hidalgo, P.L.Schoonhoven, L., Haalboom, J, R, E., Bousema, M, T., Algra, A., Grobbee, D, E., Grypdonck, M, H., Buskens, E. (2002) Prospective cohort study of routine use of risk assessment scales for prediction of pressure ulcers.The two steps include the skin assessment and the risk assessment to identify the possibility of formation of pressure sore (O’ Neil, 2004).(2006), suggests that the Waterlow pressure ulcer risk assessment tool has well pressure sore guessing ability and sensitivity which may result to get wrong positive results.Their learning also states that judgement of clinical assessment is also same valuable as as...

It is about identifying the patient’s needs through accurate assessment, good symptom control and sensitive nursing care (Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care, 2012).Following assessment the nurse developed a care plan in order to help maintain patient skin integrity and any actions or implementations which needed to be carried out (Anderson and Fletcher, 2007).I must be an effective communicator and be able to provide a high standard of care at all times and this is imperative when dealing with palliative care patients.You have to be able to stand on your own two feet and this will be imperative in my transition to becoming a registered nurse.In conclusion and in relation to The Health Quality Strategy and my transition from student...

In essence it is essential for healthcare providers to not only manage and assess the impact of the initial stroke but there is a necessity for further assessment and interventions to be identified to support individuals to maximise their vascular health to reduce the risk of future vascular events (Price and Keady, 2010).Mr Singh is obese and part of the assessment process should include the completion of a screening tool like the MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool; MAG, 2003) that will identify under or over nutrition and from there nutritional strategies for weight loss involving nutritional supplements, nutrient limited diet and energy limited diet can be considered (Shewmake and Huntington, 2009).The use of assessment tools...

When Sylvia returned to the ward the nurses used the pain assessment of asking her what her pain was on a scale of 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 being unbearable.Pressure Ulcer and Risk Prevention and Prevention.One which is assessed on admission is the waterlow score this score takes into account many factors too see whether the patient will require a special mattress e.g.The 12 activities of daily living were used to assess Sylvia when she was admitted to set up the care plan.University of Virginia.

The rationale for choosing Elspeth for this reflection is that she had a Waterlow score of 18 on admission.Action Plan Since, the NMC (2008) extrapolate that it is essential for nurses to participate in learning to preserve and develop their competency, I will familiarise myself with the NHS QIS (*) guidelines on pressure ulcer management and prevention.Elspeth’s post stroke symptoms included; weakness in her right limbs, frustration over losing independence, dysphasia and a right visual field deficit.Description In my practice learning environment (PLE), I encountered Elspeth, an 82 year old who had suffered a stroke.Furthermore, I will search the Cinahl database for nursing journals relating to compassion and person centred care; thus ...

Assessment: Individual, Family, and Community IN: Hunt, R.Assessment is the first initial step in any nursing process whether it is in a hospital setting or a community setting.Waterlow (1997) stated that “27.3% of pressure ulcers were associated with equipment.Bringing in the Roper, Logan and Tierney Model of Living, it is vital in order to carry out an appropriate community assessment of Liam’s condition.In the initial assessment the nurse assesses the need for equipment or therapies; therefore this is where the nurses assess Liam and his family’s challenges.

A tool devised through research and evidence based practice by which individuals can be assessed in relation to their risk of developing problems related to pressure, common examples are the Norton Scale and the Waterlow scale .K13 a working understanding of the importance of moving individuals correctly, and the consequences of poor handling and moving techniques K14 a working understanding of why it is important to follow the care plan and risk assessment tool K15 a working understanding of the importance of team working in relation to pressure area care .Information and documentation: care plans; pressure area risk assessment form .K3.3 pressure area risk assessment .K5 a basic awareness of the importance of working within your own s...

When Sylvia returned to the ward the nurses used the pain assessment of asking her what her pain was on a scale of 0-10 with 0 being no pain and 10 being unbearable.It shows how well the use of the activities of living fit in with the nursing process in making a care plan.The nursing process goes round a continuum which is Assess, Plan, Implement and Evaluate this is a continuous process.The 12 activities of daily living were used to assess Sylvia when she was admitted to set up the care plan.When a student nurse was on placement an audit was carried out to see how well the waterlow and must scores were being recorded, the result of this was poor as it had not been getting assessed in the patients notes; it is important to prevent pressu...

That electrical pressure mattresses are working correctly and are the correct pressure for the individual.To assess whether they are consuming enough fluids and monitoring their nutrition and if not staff are encouraging more.-District nurses .Identify where up-to-date information and support can be obtained about .In the event of a pressure sore developing be sure to inform a district nurse for them to assess and give treatment where appropriate.

Animal Collage.Lifetime Collective, Color Magazine 10.3.Cargo Collective.Waterlow, Ernest E., Sir.Watercolor on paper.