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Printed on 4/21/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
The Waterlow score is a bedside pressure injury risk framework used in many inpatient and long-term care environments. Higher totals indicate greater vulnerability and support escalation of preventive skin-care strategies.
Formula: Waterlow total is the sum of selected risk-domain points; higher scores indicate greater pressure ulcer risk.
Higher Waterlow totals indicate progressively greater pressure injury risk and stronger prevention needs.
Use on admission and at interval reassessment in hospital or long-term care settings for pressure-injury prevention planning.
Cutoffs and weighting can vary by local protocol; use alongside direct skin assessment and clinical judgment.
For related assessments, see Braden Scale, Norton Scale and MUST Score.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.
Estimate pressure injury risk using the Braden Scale (6-23) across sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, and friction/shear.
GeriatricsEstimate pressure injury risk with the Norton Scale using physical condition, mental state, activity, mobility, and incontinence.
NutritionScreen adults for malnutrition risk using BMI, unplanned weight loss, and acute disease effect with the MUST score.
GeriatricsAssess frailty using the Rockwood Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS 1–9): Very Fit to Terminally Ill. Used for ICU triage, surgical risk stratification, and goals-of-care discussions in elderly patients.