Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Difficult Intravenous Access Scale for adult patients

Abstract

Background: Difficult intravenous access is a condition that decreases the first-attempt success rate of intravenous catheterisation. It is important to evaluate patients with difficult vascular access using a standardised scale. This study was carried out to establish the Turkish validity and reliability of the ‘Adult Difficult Intravenous Access Scale’. Methods: The methodological descriptive study was carried out in the Adult Emergency Department. The research sample consisted of 100 patients over 18 years of age, who were conscious, whose condition was not critical or who did not require resuscitation. ‘Case Report Form’ and ‘Adult Difficult Intravenous Access Scale’ were used. Results: The mean age of the patients was 57.54 ± 19.44 years, and 55% ( n = 55) were female and 77% ( n = 77) had a chronic disease. The factor loads of the scale items are between 0.366 and 0.852. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was found to be 0.708. Conclusions: The Turkish version of the scale is a valid and reliable scale for determining the risk of difficult intravenous access. The practical use of this scale by healthcare professionals will enable earlier diagnosis of patients with difficult vascular access.