title: The reliability of two observation methods of nonblanchable erythema, Grade 1 pressure ulcer.
abstract: Accurate identification of nonblanchable erythema (NBE) is essential in pressure ulcer prevention. This descriptive study assessed interrater reliability between a researcher and trained nurses in observing blanchable erythema and NBE and examined the predictive validity and level of agreement between two observation methods for NBE. Findings suggest that the transparent disk method should be preferred to the finger method. The interrater reliability between the researcher and the nurses was substantial and was higher for the observations at the sacrum than for those at the heels. Educational level and years of nursing experience did not seem to influence interrater reliability.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Science, Ghent University, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. katrien.vanderwee@ugent.be
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vanderwee
authors.forename: Maria H F
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Grypdonck
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Bacquer
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Defloor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D004890:Erythema / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006365:Heel; D006615:Hip; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods; D015588:Observer Variation; D010173:Palpation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012447:Sacrum; D012720:Severity of Illness Index