Pressure Ulcer Prevention
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THE BATES-JENSEN WOUND ASSESSMENT TOOL, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE PRESSURE SORE STATUS TOOL
The Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT) captures these additional parameters and so functions as a 2-in-1 tool that both monitors wound healing and yields data useful for plan-of-care development (3-7).
Like the PUSH Tool, the BWAT should be used to conduct wound assessments at baseline, then at least weekly thereafter or whenever a change occurs in the wound. The tool evaluates 13 wound characteristics on a five-point rating scale, with lower scores indicating greater desirability.
Following each assessment, scores should be summed and total scores charted on a graph (included with the tool) so that healthcare staff can easily see whether the wound is healing or degenerating. Total scores range from 13 (skin intact but at risk for further damage) to 65 (profound tissue degeneration).
The BWAT's 13 assessment items are: size, depth, edges, undermining or pockets, necrotic tissue type, necrotic tissue amount, exudate type, exudate amount, surrounding skin color, peripheral tissue edema, peripheral tissue induration, granulation tissue, and epithelialization. Two additional items, location and shape, are noted but not scored.
To learn more about PU assessment and how to use the BWAT, go to http://www.pressureulcer.org.
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