A Pediatric Intensive Care Checklist for Interprofessional Rounds: The R-PICniC Study

Background The use of checklists in the pediatric intensive care unit can help improve the quality of care and patient safety. Objectives To build and validate a checklist for use in interprofessional rounds in a pediatric intensive care unit. Methods This methodological study was conducted in a 20-bed pediatric intensive care unit serving children up to 14 years old. A checklist prototype was constructed through review of the literature and achievement of consensus among the professionals providing care in the unit. Content validation was performed using a modified Delphi technique involving specialists with more than 5 years of experience in pediatric intensive care, methodological studies, and patient safety. Content validity ratios were calculated for the elements of the checklist, which were considered valid when they reached values greater than 0.78. The checklist was tested for usability, application time, and effects on patient care, and feedback was obtained from potential users. Results Before content validation, the checklist contained 11 domains, 32 items, and 6 daily goals. The invitation to validate content was sent to 86 specialists, and content validity was achieved after 2 rounds of evaluation, with the checklist elements having content validity ratios ranging from 0.94 to 0.97. The mean application time of the checklist was 5 minutes. The final version consisted of 11 domains, 33 items, and 8 daily goals. Conclusions This study resulted in a useful and valid instrument for application in interprofessional rounds that was tailored to the needs of local health care professionals.