Waterlow Risk Assessment Essays

The next part of the Waterlow assessment is concerned with the patient’s skin type and any visual risk areas.The build and weight assessment is necessary in the risk assessment of developing a pressure sore (Torrance 1993).The characteristics of certain people can effect the pressure distribution over the body surface so putting a very thin or obese patients at risk of developing a pressure sore (Simpson et al 1996).This stage plays an important part in the Waterlow assessment, as it is a widely researched and supported theory that elderly people are more at risk of developing pressure sores for many reasons.Neurological deficits are a necessary assessment in the Waterlow assessment as any neurological deficit and the link with developin...

The advice given to practitioners on the reverse of the Waterlow tool is to provide a 100mm foam cushion if a patients risk score is above 10 ( Waterlow, 2005)... 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).When using the Waterlow tool to assess Mrs A’s pressure risk I found she had a score of 9.The Waterlow Scale is used to measure a patient’s risk of developing a pressure sore and can also be used as a guide for the ordering of effective pressure relieving equipment.Or they may under predict risk so that someone assessed as not being at high risk develops a pressur...

The tool’s ease of use meant assessing Mr Adams’s Waterlow score was straightforward; however as Judy (1985) states due to its simplicity professional judgement should also be used to determine a patient risk status.This is particularly relevant to Mr Adams’s for although he has been restricted to bed rest he is still capable of repositioning himself on a regular basis and therefore reducing his risk of pressure ulcers.Both Franks et al (2003) and Nixon and McGough (2001) have challenged the validity of tools such as the Waterlow assessment suggesting that they can either over predict the risk causing unnecessary costs with preventative equipment that is not needed or under predict a patients risk causing a patient to develop pressure ul...

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.I used a variety of search terms including ‘pressure sores’, ‘Grade 1 classification’, ‘Waterlow Scale’, and ‘How pressure sore risk assessment tools compare’.Waterlow Scale are used to distinguish a patients pressure ulcer risk, other .When using the Waterlow tool to assess Mrs A’s pressure risk, I found she had a score of 9.The use of the Waterlow tool enables, the nurse to assess each patient according to their individual risk of developing pressure sores (Pancorbo-Hidalgo et al 2006).

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.From these studies, it was concluded that there was no evidence, that the risk of pressure ulcer incidence was reduced by the use of the risk assessment tools.Waterlow Scale are used to distinguish a patients pressure ulcer risk, other .It should also be considered, by the practitioner that risk assessment tools such as The Waterlow scale, may not have been developed, for their area of practise.The Waterlow Scale was developed by Judy Waterlow in 1985, while working as a clinical nurse teacher.

Thompson, D. (2005) An evaluation of the Waterlow pressure ulcer risk-assessment tool, British Journal of Nursing, 14(8), p.455-459.The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (2013, p.15) do not agree with falls risk prediction tools but state that all patients over 65 should be regarded as at risk.(2005c) Waterlow pressure ulcer prevention/treatment policy, Judy Waterlow [online].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...

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (2013, p. 15) do not agree with falls risk prediction tools but state that all patients over 65 should be regarded as at risk.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 observations are indicating postural hypotension.Both of the previous statements suggest that some of the questions asked in the Waterlow tool may not be specific enough as nurses have to use their own judgement which can vary, therefore changing the risk score.Thompson, D. (2005) An evaluation of the Waterlow pressure ulcer risk-assessment tool, British Journal of Nursing, 14(8), p.455-459.Specific tools used to gat...

Risk is integral to nursing and the assessment of risk is one of the most common judgements nurses make.According to Waterlow (1985), recommended care interventions are available with each recommendation corresponding to the risk score parameters of the Waterlow scale.Risk assessment is a process of identifying and investigating factors associated with the increased probability of specified risk occurring.Risk assessment is a continuous process in which nurses gather information from multiple sources and other health care professionals with the focus of identifying the factors that is associated with the increased probability of risk happening.The primary aim of pressure ulcer risk assessment tool is to help nurses identify individuals a...

The aims of the Pressure ulcer risk assessment tools are to quantify and measure the risk of a person to have a pressure ulcer.The assessment implement used throughout my area of work, is the Waterlow Scale.The utilization of the Waterlow implement enables, the nurse to assess each patient according to their individual risk of developing pressure sores (Pancorbo-Hidalgo et al 2006)The tool uses an amalgamation of core and external risk factors that contribute to the development of pressure ulcers.. Nutritional assessment and screening tools like getting the Body Mass Index (BMI) are also utilized in the home for managing patients who are at risk of or have a pressure ulcer.In the studies of pressure ulcer tools, there have been few endea...

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.This assessment helped me to classify ulcer.I used Waterlow scale (Waterlow, 1998).To justify this, during my learning process I carried out some assessment on service users who were vulnerable.There are many risk assessment tools to assess patient for pressure ulcer development which I have been familiar during my learning process.

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 mental health nursing, a range of pressure sore assessment tools are used such as the Norton, Braden and Waterlow risk assessment scales, these are mainly used for patients who are not very mobile as in the adult field.The intention of the Waterlow pressure sore risk assessment is to recognise service users who are highly at risk of developing pressure sores, to avoid them becoming worse and/or even developing them at all, to serve as an early predictive index before the development of pressure damage Nixon and McGou...

It is the most frequent risk assessment tool in the United Kingdom (UK), and is used throughout hospitals, nursing homes and within the community.It will also describe the hospital setting, the nursing model used, the risk assessment tools and the information collected from the assessment including the needs identified and what can be and will be done.The nurse used a number of risk assessment tools when assessing Ethel.These were, the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST), waterlow score, falls risk assessment score for the elderly (FRASE) and the Abbey pain scale.Waterlow (2005) first designed this tool for students use in 1985.

People unable to move themselves or re-position are at much higher risk as they rely on others to help them and are left in the same position for long period of time.Although she already had a ProPad cushion in situ I have noticed that due to the client’s increased incontinence of urine there was a higher risk of developing a pressure sore in the sacral area.They have asked me to update Waterlow and MUST charts.Pressure risk assessment form( Waterlow scoring) should be filled in by health professionals, updated regularly and kept in the client’s file.If equipment is not working correctly or is not suitable for client, damaged or service is out of date ,this has to be reported immediately.

The fourth step of the model is to record the findings and risk assessments should be made to identify procedures likely to involve a risk of infection to either Mr. A., other patients or nursing staff.The Waterlow tool uses a simplistic scoring system which predicts potential problem areas of skin that may break-down and therefore be prone to infection.Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) is a nutritional assessment tool used to identify patients at risk of malnutrition.The first step of the risk assessment model is to look for hazards and identify how infection control might spread within this environment.This is the most common pressure ulcer risk assessment tool developed in 1984 by Judy Waterlow (Kozier 2008).

Mr Elliot’s immobility put him at high risk of developing pressure ulcers Interventions to manage his immobility included; educating Elizabeth about the risks of pressure ulcers to people who are immobile, referral to the physiotherapist, the use of pressure relieving equipment and a 2 hourly repositioning schedule.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.Mr Elliot has complex health problems affecting wound healing and further risk of skin breakdown as well as int...

An appropriate risk assessment tool should assess only necessary factors, facilitate the nurse’s work, be easy to use, require minimal training, have clear management guidelines and prevent pressure ulcers.The Waterlow scale was compiled in Great Britain in 1984 and consists of two parts, one measuring pressure ulcer risk and the other outlining a prevention and treatment policy (Waterlow, 1991).As Julie (EWMA 2009) points out that current nursing documentation of pressure ulcer prevention and management is not adequate and that risk assessment tools although not perfect do have a role to play in the identification of those at risk of pressure ulceration by raising awareness.The risk assessment tools are treated as if they are diagnostic...

a score of 10-14 indicates ‘at risk’ .It is a legal requirement for those acessing day care, residential or nurisng care that they have a risk assessment carried out this is to to find the risk and implemtnt the correct methods of care.The tool identifies three ‘at risk’ categories, .3.6 Identify why it is important to use risk assessments tools .a score of 20 and above indicates very high risk.

For the Waterlow risk assessment scale the teacher activity planned was questioning the students and clarifying subsections and reading from handouts.Waterlow J (2005) Pressure sores – Symptom (online).Waterlow J (1985) A risk assessment card.Edwards M (1996) Pressure sore risk: validating an assessment tool British Journal of Community Health Nursing Vol 1, No 5 282-8 .The teacher, according to the session plan, explained and read from handouts the relationship between pressure ulcer risk assessment and Clinical Governance.

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.An assessment framework can then be put in place using model such as Roper Logan and Tierney (2003).If Sylvia’s surgery had gone to open surgery when she returned to the ward she should be in a side room to prevent her wound from being at risk of getting infected or contracting MRSA.Sylvia may be at risk of falling out of bed due to anaesthetic so nurses should put the cot sides up on the bed.Pressure Ulcer and Risk Prevention and Prevention.

The first initial assessment is also important as this can help to build a foundation for the nurse-client relationship.Research indicates that critically ill children are more at risk of pressure ulcers than the general paediatric population (Willock and Maylor 2004).In 1998, Waterlow paediatric pressure ulcer risk assessment was developed.Waterlow (1997) stated that “27.3% of pressure ulcers were associated with equipment.It is important that risk factors are identified and minimised.

Elspeth’s post stroke symptoms included; weakness in her right limbs, frustration over losing independence, dysphasia and a right visual field deficit.The rationale for choosing Elspeth for this reflection is that she had a Waterlow score of 18 on admission.Additionally, in future practice, I must remember that incontinence also plays a role in PU susceptibility.The intrinsic factors contributing to the high Waterlow score included her age, skin integrity, nutritional status, mobility and special risk due to her left cerebellar stroke (Waterlow, 2005).Since, these symptoms can contribute to the development of PU (* *); I knew the nursing staff and I must make PU prevention a priority in Elspeth’s care planning.

At the end of the personal intervention, Miss Adams was encouraged to wash her hands to limit the risk of infection; and the student nurse washed her hands thoroughly following the five moments of hand hygiene (2007).Fletcher, J (2009), Identifying patients at risk of malnutrition: Nutrition screening and assessment, Gastrointestinal Nursing, 5, (5) 12-17 .Jane Fletcher explores ways in which nurses can assess their patients and identify those at risk of malnutrition.Water UK, (2010), Water for Health, www.waterforhealth.org.uk , accesses on 03/03/11 Waterlow J, (2005), www.judywaterlow.co.uk .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 ...

The waterlow score is one that is often missed along with the must score when the patient is being admitted and often nurses forget to reassess (Waterlow, 2008).If Sylvia’s surgery had gone to open surgery when she returned to the ward she should be in a side room to prevent her wound from being at risk of getting infected or contracting MRSA.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.If Sylvia does not eat and drink the wound will take longer to heal and will increase the risk of infection.When a student nurse was on placement an audit was carried out to see how well the waterlow and must scores were being recorded, t...

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).Patient is at risk of developing chest infection due to decreased mobility and respiratory depression due to oxynorm medication.Looking at the down side of the model, it is a very long process of assessment and it takes time for a healthcare staff to finish all the twelve areas.The patient was also assessed using the Waterlow Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Tool and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool(MUST).Roper et al(2000,p.124) pointed out that assessment which is considered to be the first phase of the nursing process s...

According to NICE guidelines (2003) the risk factors influencing to develop pressure ulcer in an individual includes intrinsic risk factors and extrinsic risk factors.With the waterlow pressure ulcer risk assessment tool among the seven assessment studies conducted by pancorbo-hidalgo, P.L.Frequent evaluation and assessment should be done in every consequent evaluation at every 12 hours on patients who are at high risk .In the same way patients who are at low risk also needs to be evaluate frequently to observe or to identify any new risk factors and providing suitable preventive measures (O’ Neil, 2004).The most commonly used tool assessing the pressure sore in U.K is the Waterlow pressure ulcer risk assessment tool.Their learning also ...

Communication and good interpersonal skills are once again highlighted as an essential part of good nursing practice.Whilst on this placement I was expected to take control of situations and be able to communicate and deal with whatever is presented to me.Reflecting on these events has helped me to identify areas where practice needs improvement and given me a greater insight into my own role as a registered nurse.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 car...

Before starting the assessment, I gathered all the things that I need.I washed my hands with soap and water again and dried it up to prevent the spread of infection.I put on a pressure relief cushion on her left foot to relieve pressure, kept it supported and in a comfortable position.I thanked Mrs H for her cooperation during the procedure.I informed her that I also need to carry out a risk assessment for skin breakdown to identify if she is at risk of developing a pressure sore.

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).The use of assessment tools in wound care is not unusual as a format to obtain a standardised view on what the clinical issues are; examples of such tools used in wound care include; the 2001 Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (Harris et al., 2010); the Waterlow Score (Waterlow, 2005) and also the Applied Wound Management Continuums (Grey et al, 2009).For Mr Singh the nursing assessment has highlighted three main issues...

In the event of a pressure sore developing be sure to inform a district nurse for them to assess and give treatment where appropriate.What could reduce the risk of skin breakdown and pressure sores?Explain why it is important to use risk assessment tools?To assess whether they are consuming enough fluids and monitoring their nutrition and if not staff are encouraging more.To monitor and assess whether an individual needs pressure relieving equipment such as cushions and mattresses etc and to see if they are at a high risk of developing pressure sores.

K12.1 put individuals at risk of skin break down and pressure sores K12.2 can help prevent skin break down and pressure sores .K11 a working knowledge of the changes in appearance of the skin when skin integrity is at risk Care and support .K5 a basic awareness of the importance of working within your own sphere of competence and seeking clinical advice when faced with situations outside your sphere of competence K6 a working understanding of the importance of applying standard precautions and the potential consequences of poor practice K7 a working understanding of a variety of pressure sore risk assessment tools K8 a working understanding of the uses of pressure sore risk assessment tools, including those used in your area of work An...