[Risk assessment scale for pressure ulcers in pediatric patients: French translation, internal consistency, convergent validity, feasibility, and clinical utility of the Braden QD Scale].

INTRODUCTION

Pediatric patients are particularly vulnerable to pressure ulcers. Structured evaluation with a risk assessment tool is recommended in order to identify patients at risk. The Braden QD Scale integrates the risks of both immobility-related and medical device-related pressure ulcers in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVES

To translate and pretest the Braden QD Scale into French (Swiss-French version), and to evaluate its consistency, convergent validity, feasibility, and clinical utility.

METHOD

Over five prevalence surveys, the Braden QD Scale was used on all hospitalized pediatric patients. Convergent validity and internal consistency were tested. A self-administered questionnaire on feasibility and clinical utility was completed by nurses.

RESULTS

The translated version of the Braden QD Scale was pretested on 352 children. The prevalence surveys showed that 5.1% were at risk of developing pressure ulcers. Medical devices were present in 85.8% of cases. A Cronbach's alpha of 0.710 and a high convergent validity were measured. High scores of feasibility and clinical utility were found.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

This study suggests that the Swiss-French version of the Braden QD Scale is reliable, valid, feasible, and has clinical utility.