• Kylie Davies, Max K Bulsara, Anne-Sylvie Ramelet, and Leanne Monterosso.
• University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia.
• J Clin Nurs. 2018 May 1; 27 (9-10): 1891-1900.

Aims And ObjectivesTo establish criterion-related construct validity and test-retest reliability for the Endotracheal Suction Assessment Tool© (ESAT©).BackgroundEndotracheal tube suction performed in children can significantly affect clinical stability. Previously identified clinical indicators for endotracheal tube suction were used as criteria when designing the ESAT©. Content validity was reported previously. The final stages of psychometric testing are presented.DesignObservational testing was used to measure construct validity and determine whether the ESAT© could guide "inexperienced" paediatric intensive care nurses' decision-making regarding endotracheal tube suction. Test-retest reliability of the ESAT© was performed at two time points.MethodsThe researchers and paediatric intensive care nurse "experts" developed 10 hypothetical clinical scenarios with predetermined endotracheal tube suction outcomes. "Experienced" (n = 12) and "inexperienced" (n = 14) paediatric intensive care nurses were presented with the scenarios and the ESAT© guiding decision-making about whether to perform endotracheal tube suction for each scenario. Outcomes were compared with those predetermined by the "experts" (n = 9). Test-retest reliability of the ESAT© was measured at two consecutive time points (4 weeks apart) with "experienced" and "inexperienced" paediatric intensive care nurses using the same scenarios and tool to guide decision-making.ResultsNo differences were observed between endotracheal tube suction decisions made by "experts" (n = 9), "inexperienced" (n = 14) and "experienced" (n = 12) nurses confirming the tool's construct validity. No differences were observed between groups for endotracheal tube suction decisions at T1 and T2.ConclusionCriterion-related construct validity and test-retest reliability of the ESAT© were demonstrated. Further testing is recommended to confirm reliability in the clinical setting with the "inexperienced" nurse to guide decision-making related to endotracheal tube suction.Relevance To Clinical PracticeThe ESAT© is the first validated tool to systematically guide endotracheal nursing practice for the "inexperienced" nurse.© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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