The Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool provides instructions for evaluating wounds based on 13 items: size, depth, edges, undermining, necrotic tissue type and amount, exudate type and amount, skin color surrounding wound, peripheral tissue edema/induration, granulation tissue, and epithelialization. Nurses are directed to rate each item by selecting the response that best describes the wound and calculating a total score, with higher scores indicating more severe wound status. Wound progress should be tracked by plotting total scores on the Wound Status Continuum.
3. BATES-JENSEN WOUND ASSESSMENT TOOL NAME
Complete the rating sheet to assess wound status. Evaluate each item by picking the response that best describes the
wound and entering the score in the item score column for the appropriate date.
Location: Anatomic site. Circle, identify right (R) or left (L) and use "X" to mark site on body diagrams:
Sacrum & coccyx Lateral ankle
Trochanter Medial ankle
Ischial tuberosity Heel Other Site
Shape: Overall wound pattern; assess by observing perimeter and depth.
Circle and date appropriate description:
Irregular Linear or elongated
Round/oval Bowl/boat
Square/rectangle Butterfly Other Shape
Date Date Date
Item Assessment Score Score Score
1. Size 1 = Length x width <4 sq cm
2 = Length x width 4--<16 sq cm
3 = Length x width 16.1--<36 sq cm
4 = Length x width 36.1--<80 sq cm
5 = Length x width >80 sq cm
2. Depth 1 = Non-blanchable erythema on intact skin
2 = Partial thickness skin loss involving epidermis &/or dermis
3 = Full thickness skin loss involving damage or necrosis of subcutaneous
tissue; may extend down to but not through underlying fascia; &/or
mixed partial & full thickness &/or tissue layers obscured by
granulation tissue
4 = Obscured by necrosis
5 = Full thickness skin loss with extensive destruction, tissue necrosis or
damage to muscle, bone or supporting structures
3. Edges 1 = Indistinct, diffuse, none clearly visible
2 = Distinct, outline clearly visible, attached, even with wound base
3 = Well-defined, not attached to wound base
4 = Well-defined, not attached to base, rolled under, thickened
5 = Well-defined, fibrotic, scarred or hyperkeratotic
4. Under- 1 = None present
mining
2 =Undermining < 2 cm in any area
3 = Undermining 2-4 cm involving < 50% wound margins
4 = Undermining 2-4 cm involving > 50% wound margins
5 = Undermining > 4 cm or Tunneling in any area
5. Necrotic 1 = None visible
Tissue 2 = White/grey non-viable tissue &/or non-adherent yellow slough
Type 3 = Loosely adherent yellow slough
4 = Adherent, soft, black eschar
5 = Firmly adherent, hard, black eschar
6. Necrotic 1 = None visible
Tissue 2 = < 25% of wound bed covered
Amount 3 = 25% to 50% of wound covered
4 = > 50% and < 75% of wound covered
5 = 75% to 100% of wound covered
7. Exudate 1 = None
Type