Reliability and validity of the postepidural fall risk assessment score

Kathleen Thompson1, Lisa Haddad, Sarah Smith

  • 1College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Dr Thompson); and 3East/Mother Baby (Ms Smith), Patient Services (Dr Haddad), University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville.

The purpose of this study was to establish the interrater reliability and face validity of the postepidural fall risk assessment score instrument for the obstetric patient. The sample consisted of 207 healthy mothers at an inner-city level 1 trauma center. Kappa coefficients ranged from 0.54 to 0.83. Face validity of the tool was determined by participating nurses (n = 25). Results indicated that the tool was reliable and required modification to increase face validity.