Publication

Investigating the Reliability and Validity of the Waterlow Risk Assessment Scale: A Literature Review Clinical Nursing Research

Walsh, Breda
Dempsey, Laura
Citation
Walsh, B.,Dempsey, L. (2011) 'Investigating the Reliability and Validity of the Waterlow Risk Assessment Scale: A Literature Review Clinical Nursing Research'. Clinical Nursing Research, 20 (2):197-208.
Abstract
The aim of this review was to examine health literature on the reliability and validity of the Waterlow pressure sore assessment scale. A systematic review of published studies relating to the topic was conducted and literature was examined for its relevancy to the topic under investigation. Findings suggest that despite the availability of over 40 assessment tools, the Waterlow assessment scale is the most frequently used by health care staff. Research suggests that the Waterlow Scale is an unreliable method of assessing individuals at risk of pressure sore development with all studies indicating a poor interrater reliability status. Its validity has also been criticized because of its high-sensitivity but low-specificity levels.
Funder
Publisher
Publisher DOI
10.1177/1054773810389809
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Ireland