Content validation of the nursing diagnosis "Frail Elderly Syndrome (00257)"

To increase the level of evidence available for the nursing diagnosis "Frail Elderly Syndrome 000257" through content validation by nurses with expertise in caring for the elderly.

Diagnostic content validation study in accordance with Fehring's proposal composed of two stages: integrative review of the literature according to Whittemore and Knafl's guidelines, which allowed us to update the diagnostic components, and, subsequently, expert consensus study by means of the Delphi method. A total of 61 nurses who met the inclusion criteria were included. A Likert-type questionnaire was used to identify levels of agreement with the respective components. Data distribution analysis was performed. Components >0.80 on the content validity index (CVI) were validated.

Twelve defining characteristics, 10 related factors, 6 risk populations, and 2 associated conditions were validated by experts. Global CVI was determined for clinical indicators.

The components of the nursing diagnosis validated by experts in caring for the elderly provide an overview of the phenomenon of frailty in the elderly in hospital settings.

This study will provide nurses responsible for elderly care with the necessary tools to FES, enabling them guide and appropriate interventions to prevent complications, minimize risk, enhance the quality of life for older.

Syndrome; frailty; elderly; nursing, validation study; nursing diagnosis.