Preliminary development and validation of a paediatric cardiopulmonary physiotherapy discharge tool.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to develop a paediatric cardiopulmonary physiotherapy (CPT) discharge tool. We report on the initial stages of its development and the tool's sensibility (face/content validity, feasibility, and ease of usage).


METHODS
Using a modified Delphi technique, a panel of paediatric physiotherapy clinicians and academic leaders in the area of CPT (n=25) was recruited. Four rounds of discussion among the members of the Delphi panel focused on (1) generation of discharge items, (2) reduction of items, (3) discussion of contentious items and refinement of criterion definitions, and (4) determination of scoring options for the test instrument. The sensibility of a draft of the tool was assessed using a sample of convenience (n=15).


RESULTS
Six items (auscultation, discharge planning, mobility, oxygen saturation, secretion clearance, and signs of respiratory distress) were identified for inclusion in the tool. The global mean of all sensibility domains was 6.4 (median=6.6) of a possible 7.0.


CONCLUSIONS
Using a modified Delphi process, we developed a six-item paediatric CPT discharge planning tool with good face and content validity. Future work will determine the scoring method for using this tool, interrater reliability, and predictive validity to facilitate optimal timing of hospital discharge for paediatric CPT patients.
Cindy Ellerton, MSc:  Department of Physical Therapy and Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario; The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario.
Cindy
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Ellerton
Aileen
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Davis
Dina
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Brooks
D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D010351:Patient Discharge; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design