Measurement properties of the occupational therapy discharge needs screen

Pre-discharge home assessments are integral to discharge planning; however, there is no screening tool identifying clients with complex needs.

To determine the inter- and intrarater reliability and predictive and concurrent validity of the Occupational Therapy Discharge Needs Screen (OTDNS), a screening tool that identifies clients with more complex discharge needs.

The OTDNS Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Functional Autonomy Measurement System (SMAF) were administered to 89 participants.

Intrarater reliability was ICC = 0.93 (95% CI 0.90 - 0.96) (n = 89). Interrater reliability was ICC = 0.53 (95% CI 0.27- 0.70) (n = 89) with the initial OTDNS instructions, and ICC = 0.91 (95% CI 0.62 - 0.96) (n = 10) with revised OTDNS instructions. The OTDNS had an inverse relationship with the FIM (r = -0.51; p < 0.001) and a positive relationship with the SMAF (r = 0.64; p < 0.001). A score of > 7/28 had a sensitivity = 75% and specificity = 40% when predicting occupational therapy home assessment post-discharge.

The OTDNS has potential to contribute to continuity and efficiency of the discharge-planning process.