title: Validation of a new classification system for skin tears.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to validate and establish reliability of the International Skin Tear classification system.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consensus panel of 12 internationally recognized key opinion leaders convened in 2011 to establish consensus statements on the prevention, prediction, assessment, and treatment of skin tears. Subsequently, a new skin tear classification system was proposed. The system was then tested for interrater and intrarater reliability between the experts before being tested more widely on a sample of 327 individuals from the United States, Canada, and Europe.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the study indicated a substantial level of agreement for the expert panel (Fleiss κ = 0.619; 2-month follow-up = 0.653). Intrarater reliability was high (Cohen κ = 0.877). Interrater reliability was moderate (Fleiss κ = 0.555) for healthcare professionals (n = 303) and fair for non-health professionals (Fleiss κ = 0.338; n = 24).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This international study established the reliability and validity of a new classification system for skin tears.
authors.affiliation: KDS Professional Consulting, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: LeBlanc
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baranoski
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holloway
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Langemo
mesh_terms: D002965:Classification; D032921:Consensus; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D010781:Photography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D018875:Vocabulary, Controlled; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control