The development of the Glamorgan paediatric pressure ulcer risk assessment scale

Pressure ulcer (PU) risk assessment tools were initially developed by identifying factors believed to predispose people (mainly adults and the elderly) to pressure ulcers, and combining them into risk-assessment tools. Many of these tools were formulated according to the insights of experts at the time they were developed, or were based on a literature review. Of ten published paediatric PU risk assessment tools, six are derived from adult risk assessment tools, one is based on a literature review, two are based on clinical judgement and experience, and one is based on an incidence study, but this tool is not predictive. No predictive paediatric pressure ulcer risk assessment tools based on empirical data were identified and there appears to be a lack of publications on the validity and reliability of existing paediatric scales.