title: Specific training is required in assessing pressure ulcer risk.
abstract: Pressure ulcers cause significant distress to patients and their families and are expensive in terms of nursing time, equipment and disposables. If they are to be prevented, a risk assessment must be undertaken so that plans can be put in place. A comprehensive assessment based on the essentials of wound healing for every patient would be virtually impossible so the 'shorthand' approach of the risk assessment scale is important. Previous studies have shown that the predictive validity varies considerably within the same scale and between different scales. This study reviewed the currently available risk assessment scales and concluded that they are not as simple to use as is sometimes assumed. Norton and Waterlow scales do not provide descriptions of their risk components so need informed clinical judgement. The authors suggest that they should be used by trained health professionals only.