When reading about pressure ulcers you may have stumbled across something called a Waterlow score. Well wonder no more. We will help define it and explain how it can help you in assessing pressure sores in your care environment.
Basically, it is a simple and standardized medical tool to asses the risk of someone developing pressure ulcers or pressure sores.
It is popular amongst care homes and hospitals across the country.
Pressure Ulcers
Assessing Risk
The Waterlow Score holds immense significance in UK healthcare settings for several reasons:
- Early risk identification: The score helps identify individuals at risk of pressure ulcers early on, allowing for timely preventive measures.
- Individualised risk assessment: The tool considers multiple factors, providing a personalised risk assessment rather than a generic approach.
- Nursing intervention guide: The score guides nursing interventions tailored to the specific risk factors identified.
- Monitoring risk changes: Regular assessments allow for monitoring risk changes and adapting preventive measures accordingly.
- Cost-effective prevention: Preventing pressure ulcers reduces healthcare costs and improves patient outcomes.
How does a Waterlow Score work?
The Waterlow risk assessment covers seven factors by using a score card. These factors are the main issues that contribute to pressure ulcers.
They are:
- Age and gender
- Skin condition
- Appetite
- Continence levels
- Body Mass Index
- Mobility
- Other risks such as medication or trauma
Through weighing up these factors a score is produced that determines whether a resident is at risk, high risk or very high risk.
How does it help?
With this score in place carers can develop a plan to help the resident recover or avoid pressure ulcers. This could be as simple as reviewing the types of mattresses being used, nutrition or seating arrangements.
These scores can be reviewed to see whether the resident is making an improvement.
