title: The feasibility, reliability, and clinical utility of the agitated behavior scale in brain-injured rehabilitation patients.
abstract: Patients with traumatic brain injury often experience physical and cognitive impairments as well as agitation requiring additional care to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility, reliability and clinical utility of the Agitated Behavior Scale (ABS) as part of routine rehabilitation nursing assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective descriptive study was conducted on a brain injury rehabilitation unit consisting of a sample of 51 patients who were consecutively admitted over 4 months to a rehabilitation unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that the tool was completed on the majority of nursing shifts, had high interrater agreement, and distinguished patients who were on constant observation or physically restrained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ABS can be used as an objective measure for nurses to guide the initiation and evaluate the effectiveness of various care strategies.
authors.affiliation: MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute of Ohio, Cleveland, OH, USA. samato@metrohealth.org
authors.forename: Shelly
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Resan
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mion
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000451:nursing / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing; D015203:Reproducibility of Results