Braden Scale Calculator

Braden Scale Calculator for Geriatrics. An existing injury or change in mobility can require action regardless of the total. Review individual support needs. Use the local prevention pathway and skin assessment. No universal low-risk clearance or repositioning order is generated.

For shared guidance on choosing a tool and documenting results, read the clinical calculator workflow.

How this calculator works

AHRQ describes the classic adult scale as 6-23, with lower totals reflecting higher pressure-injury risk. This page intentionally does not transfer those labels to other Braden versions. Source: https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/publications/files/putoolkit.pdf

When to use this calculator

Pair a completed authorized score with skin assessment and the local prevention plan. NICE CG179 recommends scales as support for clinical judgment, including reassessment when condition changes.

Inputs used

  • Classic adult Braden total, integer 6-23; version

Clinical interpretation

An existing injury or change in mobility can require action regardless of the total. Review individual support needs. Use the local prevention pathway and skin assessment. No universal low-risk clearance or repositioning order is generated.

Worked example

A score falls from 18 to 15 after mobility worsens. This is a three-point decline, not a three-percent risk increase. Review what changed and the needed prevention measures, even if a threshold was not crossed.

Limitations and safety notes

A total is not a skin examination, a pressure-injury stage or a turning-frequency prescription. Classic Braden, Braden Q and Braden Scale II require version-specific instructions and permissions.

Frequently asked questions

Can a higher score overrule a visible injury?

No. An actual skin finding requires assessment regardless of a screening total.

References

  • https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/publications/files/putoolkit.pdf
  • https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg179/chapter/Recommendations
  • https://www.bradenscale.com/faqs-braden-scale-ii

Editorial review and citation methodology

Maintained by the Quick Medical Calculator Editorial Team. Content record date: September 9, 2026. A content date is not evidence of independent clinical review. Individual clinical sign-off is not recorded on this page.

  • Prefer original validation studies for scoring systems and prediction tools.
  • Use current specialty society guidance, transplant allocation policy, public health guidance, or regulator resources when they govern clinical use.
  • Include limitations and safety notes when a calculator is population-specific, context-dependent, or unsuitable as a standalone decision tool.

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