Six factors, 6 to 23 points – with calculator, interpretation and an explanation of every level.
The Braden scale estimates how high the risk of a pressure ulcer (Dekubitus, bedsore) is. It was developed in 1987 by Barbara Braden and Nancy Bergstrom and is one of the most widely used scales in nursing.
Six factors are assessed: sensory perception, skin moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction and shear. Each factor scores 1 to 4 points (friction 1 to 3). The total lies between 6 and 23. The lower the total, the higher the risk.
For each factor, choose the description that fits best. The total and the assessment appear immediately. No data is transmitted – the calculation runs in your browser and is not saved.
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Please rate all six factors.
The result is for guidance only. The assessment of pressure ulcer risk is made by the registered nurse – the scale supports this assessment, it does not replace it.
| Total | Assessment |
|---|---|
| 6–9 points | very high risk |
| 10–12 points | high risk |
| 13–14 points | moderate risk |
| 15–18 points | risk |
| 19–23 points | no increased risk |
A score of 18 points or lower indicates a pressure ulcer risk. The grading below that is common but not uniform – some facilities work with slightly different cut-offs.
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Sensory perception Can the person feel and communicate pressure and pain? | 1 completely limited – no response to painful stimuli, e.g. unconscious or heavily sedated 2 very limited – responds only to strong painful stimuli, can hardly communicate discomfort 3 slightly limited – responds to verbal commands but cannot always communicate discomfort 4 no impairment – responds to verbal commands and communicates discomfort |
| Skin moisture How often is the skin moist – from sweat, urine or wound exudate? | 1 constantly moist – skin is almost always moist 2 often moist – linen change needed about once per shift 3 occasionally moist – linen change needed about once a day 4 rarely moist – skin is usually dry |
| Activity How much does the person move in everyday life? | 1 bedfast – does not leave the bed 2 chairfast (chair/wheelchair) – can hardly walk or not at all, sits in a chair or wheelchair 3 walks occasionally – walks short distances during the day, with or without help 4 walks frequently – walks several times a day, including outside the room |
| Mobility Can the person change their body position on their own? | 1 completely immobile – no change of position without help 2 very limited – only occasional slight changes of position 3 slightly limited – frequent slight changes of position independently 4 no limitation – changes position often and independently |
| Nutrition How much does the person eat and drink? | 1 very poor – rarely eats more than a third of meals, drinks little 2 probably inadequate – eats about half of meals 3 adequate – eats more than half of meals 4 excellent – usually eats the meals offered in full |
| Friction and shear Does the person slide down in bed or chair, do they need a lot of help with repositioning? | 1 problem – needs a lot of help moving, frequently slides down 2 potential problem – moves somewhat independently, slides occasionally 3 no apparent problem – moves independently, maintains position |
Which measures are appropriate in the individual case is decided by the registered nurse and the doctor.
In the care-attendant mobile app, the care worker records the Braden scale directly with the client – using the same factors and cut-offs as this calculator. If there is a risk, measures are mandatory, the assessment appears in the shift handover, and assessments older than four weeks are flagged for reassessment. There is also a fall risk assessment based on the risk factors of the expert standard (Expertenstandard) and wound documentation with photos.
At 18 points or fewer. The lower the total, the higher the risk: the scale ranges from 6 (highest risk) to 23 points (no increased risk).
At the start of care and whenever the condition changes – for example after a hospital stay, when the person becomes bedridden, has a fever or eats less. Many facilities also set fixed intervals.
No. The expert standard on pressure ulcer prevention (Expertenstandard Dekubitusprophylaxe) relies on the professional judgement of the registered nurse. A scale such as Braden can structure this judgement and make it traceable, but does not replace it.
Both estimate pressure ulcer risk. The Braden scale assesses six factors and explicitly takes nutrition as well as friction and shear into account; the older Norton scale works with five factors.
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser. In the care app, by contrast, the assessment is documented – with date, author and measures.
Care-Assistant keeps the care diary digitally: entries in seconds, evaluation according to the six modules of the assessment, report as a PDF for the long-term care insurance fund and the Medical Service (MD).
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