Developing and validating a scale to measure the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in candidate patients for surgery

Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a very common and fatal but preventable complication that can occur in patients after surgery. Since the identification of risk factors may help to prevent DVT or early intervention, risk factors should be identified at the patient's admission to the operating room and preventive measures should be taken based on that. However, no scale has been developed to measure the risk of DVT in candidate patients for surgery. Objectives: Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of developing and validating a scale to measure the risk of DVT in patients who are candidates for surgery. Methods: This methodological study was conducted in ۲۰۲۲ in the hospitals of Zahedan city, south east of Iran. ۱۲۰ candidate patients for surgery were included using available sampling method and were evaluated using the DVT risk assessment scale. This scale has ۳ dimensions, ۱۲ items and ۴۵ sub-items. Validation of the scale was investigated by content validity index (CVI), content validity ratio (CVR), face validity and reliability (internal consistency and measurement stability over time).Results: The content validity and face validity of the scale were confirmed by ۱۰ experts. Internal consistency was also confirmed by Cronbach's alpha of ۰.۹۱.Conclusion: The current findings showed that the scale for measuring the risk of DVT in candidate patients for surgery has good validity and reliability and can be used to measure the risk of DVT in surgical candidates referring to the operating room.

Keywords:

deep vein thrombosis , Validity , Reliability , Scale , Surgical Candidate