Rapid Aspiration Screening for Suspected Stroke: Part 2: Initial and Sustained Nurse Accuracy and Reliability

To determine registered nurses' (RNs') ability to obtain and maintain accurate procedural skills and reliable interpretation of the screening items under study to develop the Rapid Aspiration Screening for Suspected Stroke.

Prospective, observation study.

A certified primary stroke center in a major metropolitan medical facility.

RNs (N=15) were recruited and trained in the administration and interpretation of the screening items under study to develop the Rapid Aspiration Screening for Suspected Stroke.

RNs completed a total of 239 screenings of patients admitted with suspected stroke over a 2-year period. RNs administered the swallowing screening items and interpreted the patient's response to each item. Independent of the RN, a speech-language pathologist simultaneously interpreted the response of the participant with stroke to each swallowing screening item.

Reliability of the interpretation and accuracy of the administration of the swallowing screening items.

The average accuracy rate for the administration of the Rapid Aspiration Screening for Suspected Stroke was 98.33%, with the overall accuracy rate for each procedural task ranging from 95.42% to 100%. For the specific swallowing screening items that formed the Rapid Aspiration Screening for Suspected Stroke, dysarthria and a positive sign after water swallow, reliability was high (k=.817). The accuracy rate for the administration and reliability of the interpretation of the swallowing screening items improved as RNs gained experience, and both were maximized at 20 screening opportunities.

RNs demonstrate both excellent accuracy of procedural administration and reliability of interpretation of the items of the Rapid Aspiration Screening for Suspected Stroke. With feedback and repeated opportunities to practice, maintenance of skills is achievable.