Enhancing enteral nutrition care: Innovating and validating a communication tool for healthcare networks

Summary: Background & Aims: The implementation of instruments for monitoring Enteral Nutrition is important for the continuity of treatment. The objective of this study was to develop and validate an instrument for communication between nutritionists at different points of care for enteral nutrition patients. Methods: Double Diamond Co-Design Study. It was divided into the following steps: instrument development, applicability analysis, and content validation. Initially, bibliographic research of national and international technical documents was carried out to create the items. For applicability analysis, the instrument was operated by nutrition residents of primary, hospital, and clinical care. In content validation, the Content Validity Index (CVI) was analyzed by items and complete instruments, concerning the criteria: relevance and clarity. CVI score values equal to or greater than 0.80 were considered for clarity and relevance equal to or greater than 0.90. Results: In the first step, the instrument presented 60 items and 7 categories. In the second step, with suggestions for modifications, 53 items and 7 categories remained. In the content validation, 23 nutritionists from Brazil participated, the Content Validity Index of the complete instrument showed clarity (0.932) and relevance (0.988) with scores above the established standards. Conclusion: The validated instrument is considered clear, relevant, unprecedented, and low-cost, and can be used for the continuity of care for enteral nutrition patients at any point in the health network.