Validation of the McIntyre Audit Tool to measure haemodialysis nurse sensitive indicators

Abstract

Background: Nurse sensitive indicators measure the quality of nursing care. Although there are some haemodialysis nurse sensitive indicators, there are currently no validated audit tools available to measure the indicators.

Objectives: To test the validity of the McIntyre Audit Tool.

Design: This study used a descriptive observation design conducted over two phases to assess face and content validity.

Participants: An expert panel of haemodialysis nurses (n = 13).

Methods: Face validity (phase 1) involved 13 nurses in two focus groups who reviewed the audit tool with qualitative data generated analysed to identify common themes. Phase 2 used a modified version of the audit tool to test for content validity for each item and then scale level content validity was calculated by combining all item scores.

Measurements: Ten nurses rated 26 indicators in the audit tool using a 4-point Likert scale to assess each item for clarity, relevance, appropriateness, and ambiguity.

Results: All 26-haemodialysis nurse sensitive indicators achieved item content validity indices ranging from 0.825 to 1.00 with a scale content validity index average of 0.910. However, based on feedback from phase 2, 6 outcome indicators were removed from the audit tool to reduce staff burden and assist with ease of use. The final audit tool had an excellent average scale content validity index of 0.924.

Conclusions: The McIntyre Audit Tool to measure 20 haemodialysis nurse sensitive indicators has been validated. It now requires feasibility and reliability testing before auditing the quality of haemodialysis nursing care.

Keywords: content; haemodialysis; nursing-sensitive; validity.