Identifying risk : Clinical judgement versus risk assessment tools (RATs)

Pressure ulcer risk assessment is a central component of clinical practice aimed at identifying patients who are at the highest risk in order to target and make best use of limited resources (both in terms of personnel and equipment). The recent European Pressure Ulcer Advisory panel and National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP/NPUAP, 2009) guidelines on pressure ulcer prevention and treatment contain three statements on risk assessment policy and 11 on risk assessment practice, yet it is clear that there is no ‘best way’ to carry out any risk assessment.