The psychometric testing of a urinary incontinence nursing assessment instrument

This study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the Capital Health Authority (CHA) Screening Tool.

A correlational design was used to evaluate the interrater reliability and concurrent validity of the CHA Tool. Alpha coefficients were calculated as measures of internal consistency.

Psychometric testing employed convenience sampling to select 12 nurses who work in homecare or geriatric assessment unit settings, and 23 homecare recipients who were experiencing incontinence.

The Stress Urge Incontinence Instrument and Urodynamic Patient Questionnaire were the criterion measures for concurrent validity of the CHA Assessment Tool.

Interrater reliability testing involved examination of nurse participants' ratings of the same 4 videotaped scenarios of a client reporting differential symptoms of incontinence. Concurrent validity was estimated after the administration of the CHA Tool and the Stress Urge Incontinence Instrument and Urodynamic Patient Questionnaire to homecare clients by the researcher.

Correlational analyses revealed good validity and reliability of the urge (r = .81, p < .01, Cronbach's alpha = .83) and stress subscales (r = .78, p < .01, Cronbach's alpha = .66) of the CHA Tool.

This research provides support for a short assessment tool that will benefit individuals experiencing urinary incontinence, their caregivers, and society through improved continence management. The appropriate management of urinary incontinence symptoms could prevent long-term care admissions.