Translational Research at the Bedside - Testing Psychometrics Nausea and Vomiting Scales

Monday, 31 October 2011: 3:15 PM

Angela P. Halpin, RN, MN, CNS
Nursing Medical Unit Pulmonary, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach, CA

Learning Objective 1: Convey the methods of RN involvment at the bedside for a psychometric study on the 0-5 nausea and vomiting scale with descriptors

Learning Objective 2: To convey the scales usefulness in practice

Problem:   Community hospital data collection requires participation of RNs at the bedside. Formal education is essential. RNs learn the purpose of study, data tools instruction, with due diligence and oversight by the principal investigator (PI). When nurses have involvement as participants in data collection, they are witnesses of the benefits for bedside research applications.

Evidence: Satisfaction with tools is measured by RNs using scales.  Construct validity is determined by results of two nurses scores on worksheets.  Success of research is determined by the nurse’s ratings, Kappa ranged from .851 to 1.00 and the percentages of agreement ranged from 91.9 to 100%.

Strategy: This methodological study aim was to establish psychometric properties of the new nausea and vomiting scales with descriptors (NVWD).  RNs were introduced to the actual studies at the bedside by the PI which enhanced RNs involvement and thus actualized translational research.

Results: The informal request for RN participation in the study, when described as part of their daily routine made for ease in data collection.  Correlations were highly significant between Halpin NV scale to Morrow scale n=163 @ .000.    

Evaluation:  Study success is measured by the involvement of the RNs at the bedside. Data collection by RNs promotes increased content validity. Nurses’ testimonials to usefulness of research tools via agreement scores allowed nurses to express more interest in benefits of research at the bedside.

Recommendations:  Translational research requires RNs at the bedside be provided opportunities to participate in studies.  Their participation and the experience must be part of PIs plans for data collection. Then results such as those for a scale are practical & useful. Further studies with bedside nurses as data collectors will be necessary for wider application.

Lessons Learned:  Translational research at the bedside is actualized with RNs involvement in data collection.