Características psicométricas de la escala FLACC traducida al español en niños de 2 meses a 7 años hospitalizados en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos de Latinoamérica

Abstract

Background: The FLACC scale is an observational pain assessment instrument, validated in children with postoperative pain or cognitive limitation. It was translated into Spanish but has not been validated in Latin American countries. Objective: Identify the psychometric characteristics of the FLACC scale in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Bogota. Design: Observational, descriptive, prospective study. Participants: Patients from 2 months to 7 years of age, evaluated during perturbing and/or painful procedures. They were selected sequentially until the sample size was completed. Method: A mobile application was designed for data collection. Doctors and nurses from the Unit were trained in its use. Statistical analysis with SPSS v25 software. Validation of criteria and content, reliability and internal consistency were carried out. Results: 57 samples were obtained from 14 patients with a median age of 2 years (IQR 0. 5-5). Optimum internal consistency (Cronbach`s alpha = 0. 917). High correlation for interobserver reliability in the FLACC scale (0, 732). Criterion validity showed a high correlation between FLACC and AVS (Spearman`s rho = 0. 718). The confirmatory factor analysis showed a correlation between the items, allowing their grouping in the observational scale for pain`s measurement. Conclusions: The psychometric characteristics of the FLACC scale in Spanish show validity and reliability, the best performance was in patients younger than two years during perturbing and painful procedures. The mobile apps are useful to apply validated instruments in the clinical practice.