title: Development and validation of the Fast Assessment in Acute Treatment of Psychosis-Observation Rating Scale (FAST-O).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is a need for an observation scale for assessment and monitoring of acutely psychotic patients. Milestones based on such ratings should be defined, similar to the PANSS-based Remission criteria. FAST-O is such an instrument (11 items and a CGI rating).
  
  
  METHODS
  Reliability, validity and factor structure were analyzed in four separate studies--most importantly in one study of 33 chronic forensic in-patients rated concurrently by three independent raters, and another study of 91 Psychiatric Intensive Care Units patients and 20 newly admitted forensic patients, rated twice, each time by two independent raters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The factor structure was simple, two factors and an orphan item (Depression). Reliability was adequate on item (>0.75) as well as scale (>0.85) level. There was no bias related to the rater's professional background. The instrument was sensitive to change. Percentile-based algorithms allow characterization of patients and groups. Tentative treatment milestones are defined; a clinical state "half-way" between the acute state and remission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FAST-O is a reliable, valid and easy to implement observation scale for patients with a psychotic illness, which can be used without bias by all staff.
authors: Department of Forensic Psychiatry, U-MAS, Malmö, Sweden.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Lindström
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Koernig
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Tuninger
authors: Sten
authors: S
authors: Levander
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult