French Canadian translation and the validity and inter-rater reliability of the ISTAP Skin Tear Classification System.

Abstract

To adapt the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) skin tear classification system into French Canadian, and to test the content validity and inter-rater reliability of the translated version. Phase one included the translation of the ISTAP skin tear classification system into French Canadian, using a forward-back translation method. Following this the translated version was tested for content validity and inter-rater reliability with registered nurses from a French acute care hospital in Ottawa, Canada. The French Canadian translation of the ISTAP skin tear classification system was evaluated by 92 nurses without in-depth wound care training. The adapted version obtained a substantial level of agreement between users, (Fleiss' Kappa = 0.69). The study tested the content validity and inter-rater reliability of the French Canadian version of the ISTAP skin tear classification system. The results support previous studies and further validate the classification system as a reliable method for classifying skin tears. The study supports ISTAP's goal of establishing a global language for describing and documenting skin tears.