Construção e validação de conteúdo de um instrumento clínico para apoiar enfermeiros na assistência a pessoas com feridas infectadas de difícil cicatrização

Abstract

Introduction: Managing people with wounds is a challenge for nurses, as several factors influence the healing process and increase the risk of infection. A targeted assessment of signs and symptoms of infection is essential for early identification, enabling effective and timely interventions. Objective: To develop a clinical instrument to assist people with infected wounds and to analyze the evidence of content validity. Methodology: A clinimetric study divided into two main stages: development of a clinical instrument, consisting of an algorithm and its guidance manual, and content validation. The instrument’s content was developed from an integrative and a scoping review, while the content validation process was carried out by a panel of judges composed of nurses who work directly with people with wounds. Data collection was carried out through an online form, and the snowball technique was used to increase participant recruitment. The content was analyzed for overall clarity and comprehensibility of items, organization, logical sequence, comprehensiveness, relevance, and pertinence of the tool’s information. Data analysis was performed using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR), with a critical CVR value of 0.28, calculated based on the number of experts on the panel and a pre-established significance level (p < 0.05). Results: The findings demonstrated a high level of content validity for the instrument, both for the algorithm and its manual, with CVR values above the critical threshold for all items. Discussion: The analysis of the instrument development process and the judges' opinions during the validation stage allowed for the systematization and grouping of suggestions into categories that supported the refinement of the clinical instrument. Conclusion: The instrument showed satisfactory content validity results but requires further evidence to ensure safe use in clinical practice.