Abstract
Purpose/Aims: The purpose of this study was to validate a tool to assess alcohol withdrawal in acute care patients. Study aims included (1) establish content validity, (2) examine criterion-related validity, (3) test interrater reliability, and (4) assess nurse usability.
Design: A psychometric research study was designed to evaluate the Alcohol Withdrawal Assessment Tool.
Methods: Validation was conducted using an expert panel to determine content validity. The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-Revised was used as comparison for the criterion related validity. Interrater reliability was determined by having 2 investigators simultaneously complete the assessment on the same patients. Usability was determined using a Likert scale survey.
Results: The average age of participants was 53 years, with a range of 27 to 81 years. Interrater reliability was supported by a [kappa] statistic range of 0.61 to 0.6957, and content validity was supported by a content validity index of 1.0. Criterion-related validity was supported with a Pearson r correlation of 0.665 (P < .000). Of nurses surveyed, all answered agree or strongly agree to the usability survey.
Conclusions: The assessment tool may be an effective alternative to utilize in the acute care setting. It is easy to use and drives frequency of assessment and appropriate pharmacologic treatment.