Validation of the ICU Mobility Scale for Nursing Use: Portuguese Multicentric Observational Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mobilization of critical patients should be precocious and the inclusion of nursing in this task can be decisive in paradigm shift. The purpose of this study was to validate the Portuguese version of the intensive care unit Mobility Scale for nursing use.

METHODS

Prospective multicenter observational study. Patients' mobility was evaluated by rehabilitation nurses in order to determine interobserver agreement. The validation criteria was tested by determining the correlation between the evaluation results of mobility, strength, and functionality levels at discharge.

RESULTS

Good interobserver agreement (R = 0.98; K = 0.76). Positive correlation with muscle strength (R = 0.77) and functionality (R = 0.85) levels at discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the correlations observed the scale is a valid instrument for nurses and could be a useful tool for routine use. More research is recommended to make the results more robust.