The authors wish to acknowledge and correct the error made in the citation and presentation of the Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Sore Risk in our article on risk assessment during the perioperative period. We are sorry for this mistake. It was inadvertent, and we in no way intended to misrepresent or improperly credit this well-recognized and accepted instrument. We would like to thank Dr Bergstrom for bringing the error to our attention and also for her thoughtful comments on pressure ulcer risk associated with surgery. We are in agreement that surgery places patients at highest risk for pressure ulcers and that the Braden Scale is not intended for use during surgery. We have, however, observed that among practitioners there may be some confusion on this. In the article we proposed that Braden Scale assessment of patients in the preoperative period may be useful for documenting and increasing awareness of the general risk status of patients as they enter the intraoperative period. Studies evaluating the use of the Braden Scale as a preoperative measure of risk are limited. We think it reasonable, based on our interpretation of existing data, to consider the use of the scale before surgery. We encourage further testing of the Braden Scale in this setting, as one measure that may help predict risk of pressure ulcer development in patients having surgery. We also agree with Dr Bergstrom that there are many intraoperative factors associated with or suspected of increasing risk for pressure ulcers. Further research that extends our developmental work on preoperative and intraoperative risk is needed to fully understand which factors are the best predictors and can help guide prevention strategies. Because of the complex nature of the problem, prevention of pressure ulcers in the operating room setting requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Molly C. Price

JoAnne D. Whitney

Cecil A. King