Validity and reliability of Glasgow scale modified by Palma & Cook (GCSC) in adult patients hospitalized in critical care unit

This study was to determine the validity and reliability of Glasgow scale modified by Palma & Cook in adult patients hospitalized in critical care unit in Iran. This study is a methodological research. After translating English version of GCSC to Persian version by international quality of life assessment method, 120 patients hospitalized in critical care unit selected by non probable, convenience, accessible and purposeful sampling. Eight observers (principle investigator, six nurses and one anesthesia resident) assessed patients and independently recorded a GCSC and Glasgow Coma scores. In addition, the PI marked a 10cm visual analog scale and recorded Richmond sedation/agitation score in order to determine the validity of GCSC. Interrater reliability for GCSC score was "excellent". Interclass correlation coefficient in trained group was 0.999 and the weighted kappa score for interrater agreement was 0.999 (p > 0.001). In validity testing, GCSC correlated highly with visual analog scale (r=0.902) and correlations with Richmond sedation/agitation scale (r=0.899) and with Glasgow Coma (r=0.970) scale (p<0.001). The GCSC confirmed as a valid and reliable tool for assessing sedation in the adult patients hospitalized in critical care units in Iran.