Acuity Tools for the Antepartum and Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Abstract

To evaluate content validity and interrater reliability for acuity tools developed for the antepartum and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patient population. Study Design and Methods: Antepartum and NICU acuity tools were developed to better evaluate nurse staffi ng assignment equity and patient needs. Following several iterations with staff nurses and nurse leaders, content validity of the acuity tools was established via a panel of experts in each substantive area using the Content Validity Index. The fi nal tools were then evaluated for interrater reliability using Intraclass Correlation. Results: Content validity for the Antepartum Acuity Tool was S-CVI/Ave = 0.87 and for the NICU Acuity Tool was S-CVI/ Ave = 0.98. Interrater Reliability for the Antepartum Acuity tool was ICC = 0.88, and the NICU Acuity Tool was ICC = 0.95. Clinical Implications: These tools have established content validity and interrater reliability and are appropriate for use in the antepartum and NICU settings to determine patient acuity and promote appropriate nurse-to-patient assignments.

Risk Management in the Perinatal and Neonatal Setting

“…A recent publication looked at antepartum and neonatal tools to determine patient acuity and promote appropriate and equitable nurse-to-patient assignments. 7 Another study reviewed data-driven workload estimates and acuity measures in a neonatal intensive care setting for preshift staffing using technology and predictive analysis. 8 These novel care models have taken a research and data-driven approach to prioritizing patient safety and can be shared with unit, department, and organizational leadership.…”

“…An RM department can assist in a variety of ways by keeping up to date on current staffing data and research that support adequate staffing. A recent publication looked at antepartum and neonatal tools to determine patient acuity and promote appropriate and equitable nurse-to-patient assignments 7. Another study reviewed data-driven workload estimates and acuity measures in a neonatal intensive care setting for preshift staffing using technology and predictive analysis 8…”